Is this UK's most dangerous tent pitch on central reservation of city dual carriageway?

A makeshift home was set up on the central reservation of a busy dual carriageway running through a city.

The tent has been pitched in the middle of the A414 at Chelmsford, Essex, with the police and local council hoping to get the occupants to move on, due to safety concerns.

The busy road runs 65 miles from Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire to Maldon in Essex.

A local resident said: "I was taking the bus out of the city and just looking out the window along the A414 when I saw this tent pitched in the bushes between the two carriageways.

"I know there is a housing crisis and people are using tents, but I didn't think anyone would resort to pitching one there.

"It's a busy road and they fly down down it, so it's incredibly dangerous if vehicle left the road in that area - let alone the noise.

"I would hope they would see sense and move it somewhere."

No one appeared to be in the tent when Express.co.uk visited, but there were signs of life from a makeshift camp area around the tent, including plastic containers and an old trolley.

The Express contacted Essex Police and Chelmsford Borough Council to see if they were aware and concerned about the location.

A council spokesperson said: "We are aware of this and our officers and other support workers have advised that the tent is moved to a safer location. We aren't able to provide any more information I'm afraid, as we can't comment on individual cases."

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of the tent near the roadside of Three Mile Hill and we are supporting our partners in the local authorities to resolve the situation.”