'The residents of Queens Road have supported the closure of the road because they think that it is completely unsuitable as an access route to the shipyard development. The Victorian terraced houses, which are more than 140 years old, form an important part of the townscape of Wivenhoe's Conservation Area and as such are worthy of protection. 

The road is also sited on a steep hill with a v-shaped dip. In sections the road is so narrow that it is impossible for larger vehicles to negotiate this route without mounting the pavement, inches in front of the fragile terraced properties, which are sited almost directly onto the street with no protection from a front garden. 

There is no off-road parking and the pavements themselves are either very narrow or non-existent, increasing the danger to pedestrians of all ages. Residents have already suffered from constant damage to either their cars or their properties. 

Although it has been suggested that all the access routes to the site should be left open to share the burden of traffic, residents fear that if Queens Road is left open it will become the main access route to the site, in spite of its obvious unsuitability, because it is the most direct route. 

Residents have formed a Queens Road Residents Association to present their views to ECC Highways in support of the road closure. Click here to see their blog site.'