A "totally pointless" barrier designed to slow down bikes will be re-engineered.

At the beginning of August contractors were hired by Chigwell Parish Council to erect three metal barriers on a path on the Station Green.

The purpose of the construction was "to improve the safety of the path from the playground entrance to the pavement" and to slow down bicycles.

Last week Matt Gibbs, an NHS performance analyst from Loughton, noticed that the barriers might not be up to scratch.

He said: "They are totally pointless.

"It is supposed to slow the cyclists down, but the kids will just go round it, let's be honest.

"Short of putting a fence up across the park I don't know what they are going to do."

Since posting a photo of the fence online in what was his first ever Tweet, the 37 year-old's post has been shared and liked hundreds of times.

Many social media commenters suggested the barriers would frustrate disabled people.

Mr Gibbs added: "It was my first Tweet.

"It is the sort of thing just made for social media."

Clerk Anthony Belgrave admitted the parish council was not overjoyed with the contractors.

He said: "We have contacted the contractors because we are not happy with the work.

"It is not meant to deter adult cyclists.

"It is to slow down children, perhaps on push bikes, as they head down the hill towards the road."

Mr Belgrave said the cost of the works had "not yet been determined."