AN angry resident claims "thousands" of people couldn't access their homes during Harwich Maritime Festival due to road closures

Bryan Williamson, of Market Street, Harwich, is calling for festival organisers to change the road closures enforced during last Saturday's festival for next year's event.

The 70-year-old said Tendring Council closed the road past the pier "trapping thousands of people" in the area.

He said: "Those who were out early, or at work, found they could not take their car back to their houses, in this area of over a square mile."

Mr Williamson said he was also upset with the road closures because he needed to take his dog to and from an emergency veterinary appointment.

He added: "Residents were complaining they could not get in to their homes and fights were close to breaking out."

The retired engineer said the whole problem could have been avoided if King's Head Street was open and the festival stalls were situated further along The Quay.

A Tendring Council spokesman said careful planning and consideration to residents and visitors are made during any potential temporary road closure.

He said: "All applications made are sent for approval to Essex Police and Essex Highways, and this application was approved by both.

"One of the conditions of this closure during the Harwich Maritime Festival was to allow vehicle access for residents who live within the closure area."

He said Mr Williamson's complaint will be discussed with the organisers and the requirement for residents' access will be emphasised for future events.

This year, the event was organised by Harwich Haven Authority.

Neil Glendinning, Harwich Haven Authority's chief executive, said: "We were delighted to take on the organisation of the year’s Maritime Festival.

"It was a great success and we’ve received some amazing feedback from the people that came along last Saturday.

"Our strategy was to showcase the town by marketing the event to a wider audience who we very much hope will make return visits to the area.

"We applied to close The Quay to traffic in November 2018 and followed the process laid out by Tendring Council.

"The notice of the road closure was publicised around the town from January this year.

"However, we haven taken onboard Mr Williamson's concerns and next year we will work closely with Tendring Council to minimise disruption to local residents."