ANGRY Westleigh residents set up a road block to protest about council plans to resurface the road.

They claim the work at Shipham Close is unnecessary and is costing money which would be better spent on filling potholes elsewhere in the area.

And they are adamant that the tarmac and stone surface is unsuitable for a close which has 21 youngsters who play out.

The stones, they claim, are dangerous not only for falling children but are also a driving hazard.

To make their point three cars were strategically placed across the close to stop contractors wagons entering Shipham Close.

Residents Steve and Sue Slack, 34, who have a son aged five, said: "We are not putting up with these stones being laid in Shipham Close and the neighbours have all decided that we will block the road indefinitely to stop contractors coming in until the council changes its mind.

"The road doesn't need resurfacing in the first place, and when you see some of the potholes in roads around Leigh then the money should be spent on them instead. Here it is just wasted and very dangerous, and we're not having it!"

A council spokesman said: "Work has been carried out on quite a number of roads in this area and it was the opinion of our experts that Shipham Close needed a surface coating to keep it in good order. We don't want to get to the stage where the surface wears down so much that it needs a major overall and that is why this work needs to be done.

"We have had no problems with other residents refusing our contractors entry and we have resurfaced hundreds of miles of road throughout the borough."

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