ROAD works which may have “damaged” a church community have been delayed - and could even be cancelled.

Work to install a mini-roundabout was due to start on Monday, but improvements to the junction between Braemore Road, Abbotsford Road and Goodmayes Lane now may not go ahead.

Members of All Saints Church, in Broomhill Road, feared they would be directly affected by the works as it could make it much harder for visitors to gain access.

The Reverend Petros Nyatsanza was concerned about this and so he sent a petition with at least 30 signatures from his congregation to Redbridge Council to state their opposition to the works.

However, they received notification from the council to say that the roadworks will still go ahead, as a note was pushed under the church door.

The letter read that the works had been supported by the surrounding community, which led the reverend to believe that his petition had only been counted as one objection.

The Rev. Petros Nyatsanza said: “When I saw the notice to say that works were going ahead, I felt like our voices had been ignored.

“It was very worrying for our members. A roundabout would make it much harder for people to get here.

“It’s concerning as people may decide to stop coming here, but we are an important part of the community to some people.”

The Goodmayes church has been at the site for more than 100 years, and is home to many events as well as regular services for patrons.

The roadworks were being considered due to a number of accidents that have occurred on the stretch of road.

At a Local Voices Matter forum on Monday 20 February several residents who live in the area claimed not have to been consulted.

But at the forum at Mayfield School, Pedley Road, people from the surrounding community argued that adding a roundabout would not stop any accidents, instead adding to the traffic build up in the area.

A spokesperson for Redbridge Council said: “The council has met with the Vicar of All Saints Church in Goodmayes following his concerns about access to the church in regards to our work to improve safety in Goodmayes Lane.

“The council has been through a thorough consultation regarding the upcoming works which have been designed to improve safety on a road that has had seven recent accidents involving in injury; three of which occurred at the junction of the proposed mini roundabout at the junction of Braemore Road, Abbotsford Road and Goodmayes Lane.

“We are taking time to further consider the views of the vicar, other churchgoers and our residents before a final decision is made on the installation of this mini roundabout.”

The Rev said: “Instead of works starting, some gentlemen came here to discuss the issue and seemed to accept that there may be a solution to the problem.

“”We do not know what is going to happen, but we are always hopeful something will happen to stop this.

“This time it feels like they are listening respectfully. This time they will carry through their promises."