HUGE potholes on a high street will now be fixed following a Guardian article highlighting their danger.

Large holes had formed in Loughton High Road in front of Pink, Butlers and Royal Ribs with confusion over whether the council or the shops owned the pavement leading to inaction for years.

But Essex County Council has now said it will fix the holes this week whether it owns the pavement or not.

The news was welcomed by residents who had told the Guardian how concerned they were about the present situation.

Norma Cross, of Church Hill, Loughton, said: “I'm very happy. I feel very strongly about it because it really is appalling down there. Everyone I've mentioned it too has been very upset.”

Roger Bell, of Church Hill, Loughton, said: “It's good news. I'm up and down there with my grandchildren all the time. You really have to watch out.

“Because of the situation there I do feel for the shopkeepers but the landlords must have a management committee when the shops need cleaning or repairs. At the end of the day, if someone fell over and really injured themselves they could sue.”

Loughton Residents Association had lobbied the county council for action over the High Road.

Vice-chairman David Linnell said: “It's brilliant news. We are delighted, but disappointed it's taken so long. It's very dangerous there.

“I did feel it was a bit hard if you were running a shop and you can't do the job yourselves. If the county council do it, it would probably be best.”

The county council had previously resurfaced half the pavement on the High Road but left the other half untouched believing it was owned by the shops.

It is now looking into who exactly does own the pavement but has said it will carry out the repairs either way.

A county council spokesman said: “We are currently investigating the boundaries to determine the ownership of this area; however, given the high number of pedestrians who use the footpath we have agreed to carry out repairs to ensure safety.

“The works will be completed during this week. If it is deemed that the area is privately owned, then the cost of repairs will have to be reclaimed from the landowners.”