A new survey of 307 residents and businesses from South Woodham Ferrers has revealed 95 per cent of respondents believe plans to "urbanise" Burnham Road will cause "extensive traffic jams".

The survey, carried out by the Woodham Infrastructure Group, asked residents for their views on plans to build an extra 1,200 homes on the land north of Burnham Road.

Under the plans, Burnham Road would be downgraded to an "urban street", with a reduced 40mph speed limit, six new pedestrian crossings and an additional roundabout, which the group said would "adversely affect South Woodham Ferrers and the Dengie".

92 per cent of respondents believe "increased traffic pollution" caused by additional and stop-start traffic as a result of the plans is not being taken "sufficiently seriously" by developers and planners.

The majority of respondents, at 94 per cent, also said they do not believe Essex Highways is "fit for purpose", while 86 per cent believe public consultations in Essex are just "tick-box exercises".

A spokesperson for the Woodham Infrastructure Group said: "This is about infrastructure - we are not campaigning against the new development in South Woodham Ferrers.

"We recognise the need for new houses - although, for the sake of wildlife and the good of the planet, we go along with the prime minister's party conference speech in which he said that he wanted to build the homes the country needs 'not on green fields' whenever it is reasonable and practical to do so.

"Many of the questions in this survey were about a particular situation which will adversely affect South Woodham Ferrers and the Dengie - but most of the questions and answers have Essex-wide implications."

The spokesperson continued: "Councils sometimes need to be reminded what residents want and need.

"There is a growing feeling that representatives should listen to what the public think rather than telling the public what to think.

"We suggest that, whilst people are understandably sick of surveys, when it comes to matters of importance, representatives should conduct surveys and abide by the results."

The group also pointed to town and parish councils from the Dengie who are currently organising to raise concerns about the plans for Burnham Road.

In an open letter published last month, the newly-formed United Dengie Councils said: "Given that the Burnham Road is the main route for traffic entering and leaving the Dengie and the road is already over capacity, this will result in local highways being gridlocked for substantial periods of time on a regular basis."

The group added that it aims to "create pressure to obtain a workable solution that is fair to all".

You can read the open letter in full here.