A LOST lorry driver caused chaos for Waltham Abbey residents when he got stuck in a cul-de-sac on Saturday night.

The articulated Sainsbury's truck bashed into a car and a fence and brought about 10 people out of their homes in Margherita Road, according to residents.

One resident, Amanda Hamilton, said that the lorry had damaged her fence, leaving her garden open to intruders and not secure enough for her children, aged two, seven and nine, and her two dogs to play in during the school summer holidays.

"It's cut through the concrete post and smashed the fence panel," she said. "We have to take the dogs out on a lead or stand in the garden to make sure they don't get out.

"Once he got free, (the driver) drove off and didn't stop. There were four of five people helping the lorry get out and they're all really angry now.

"There's even a sign saying that it's a no-through road."

She added that she had phoned the nearby Sainsbury's depot in Waltham Point to complain about the incident, but was told they could not help her because she had not noted the lorry's number plate down.

The 29-year-old also spoke to Sainsbury's head office in Holborn, London, but was told they would take up to 28 days to respond, by which time the school summer holidays would be drawing to a close.

Her neighbour, Lois Snook, said that her son's car was damaged by the lorry, which entered the road at about 11pm.

"We were all so shocked to see it," she said. "I was miles too big to be in a cul-de-sac. They're not supposed to be down here at all."

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “One of our drivers left his normal route by mistake and found himself driving in a residential area.

"Incidents like this are very rare and we would like to apologise to all the residents of Margherita Road for any inconvenience it has caused.

"We will be personally contacting the resident who raised the issue.”