COUNTY Hall insists improvements will be made to Braintree’s roads amid fears new housing has left the town’s infrastructure at a “tipping point”.

Essex Highways has hit back at suggestions it needs to take a wider look at the cumulative impact of large-scale developments in the town by insisting it will make upgrades to the roads once funding becomes available.

Road bosses came under fire last week when plans to build 825 homes off Panfield Lane, Braintree, were officially approved by Braintree Council’s planning committee.

During the meeting, councillor David Mann said he feared a number of roads in his Bocking ward were at a “tipping point” due to the number of extra cars being brought to the area by new housing.

With nearly 2,000 homes set to be built in Braintree in the coming years, Mr Mann called on County Hall to have a serious look at the overall effect they would have on the roads.

But Essex Highways says it has already considered the impact of new developments and rejected suggestions it is not prepared for an influx of cars.

A spokesman said: “In terms of the wider cumulative effect of similar developments across Braintree, this has already been considered during work carried out to support the publication of the draft Local Plan that will direct growth in the area up to 2033.

“This identified areas where highways and transportation interventions are required across the district, primarily around Braintree.

“It is intended that these will be funded from a variety of public and private funding sources, including developer funding from the proposed site allocations around the town as they come forward as individual planning applications.”

The spokesman also confirmed Highways bosses were “satisfied” the impact of the new 825-home estate off Panfield Lane was not severe enough to warrant any objections.

One of the main areas identified for improvements by County Hall in the coming years is the A131 between Braintree and Sudbury.

The £3.6million was delayed earlier this year after it was revealed Essex County Council was unable to provide its share of funding for the scheme.

Under the proposals, changes will be made to roundabouts at Marks Farm and Broad Road while the traffic-lighted junction at High Garrett will also be reworked.