Confusion surrounds when the correct signage will be placed on the long-awaited Dunmow bypass – with the latest claim that it might not be until the summer.

The £8million bypass has now been open a year but Essex Highways has yet to put the right signs up – meaning that a proposed 7.5 tonne weight limit on vehicles through the town centre is still not in place.

Dunmow’s county councillor Susan Barker said she had been promised “unequivocally” by senior officers and cabinet members at Essex County Council that the signs would be up by the end of March.

But the authority told the Broadcast it would be the end of June.

When put to Cllr Barker, she said she would be “livid” if that were the case.

“I would be horrified if we had to wait until June,” she said. “I went to see two cabinet members and two senior officers and asked about Dunmow signs and was promised unequivocally that it would be by the end of March. It should have been done as part of funding for the road in the first place. Regardless, it should not have taken a year.”

“It’s staggering,” said district and town councillor John Davey.

“The bypass opening was a long time ago, and we’ve been asking and talking about signage ever since.”