Speed bump row explodes as bitter neighbours send 'offensive' emails over road hazard

However, when the residents’ management company installed two sets of speed bumps, there were a series of complaints of residents.

Ruma Lacey, 60, and husband Mark, 61, said the speed bumps restrict their disabled daughter’s access in her wheelchair, and could also damage two of their sports cars.

“We are thinking of leaving because of the rules and regulations and draconian actions. We’re not really into neighbours and shared driveways any more," Ruma Lacey, an educational advisor, told the Mail Online.

Following the complaint, the couple contacted police over a “hate crime” against their 30-year-old daughter.

As a result of the controversial anti-speeding measures, the couple said they have received “offensive” emails.

The estate, consisting of seven houses is based on the edge of market town Great Dunmow, which is based near Bishop’s Stortford in Essex.

However, other residents said they only wanted to stop delivery vans “hurtling” down the shared gravel driveway.

One of the neighbours, 71 year old Gaye Smith said there has been an increase in speeding delivery vans. She said: "It’s dangerous as they’re hurtling along."

Geoff Murphy, 80, said of the Laceys: “They’ve put themselves in this situation.”

The development was originally a 300-year-old farmhouse with outbuildings. It was converted in 2007 with the Lacey family moved into an old grain store divided into three levels.

The family are the only residents who moved in at the initial conversion.

Ruma Lacey said: “I wrote an email that said please do not install any more speed bumps because my daughter simply can’t manage and we need to use the drive.

"What I got back was disability hate messages, saying it’s our fault the speed bump is there because we go too fast, you’re not a team player and so on."

The Laceys said they spotted a “flurry” of emails discussing its height and position in July and August before the 55mm-high feature was installed on the driveway, which already had signs imposing a 5mph speed limit.

The second speed bump has a gap in the middle wide enough for a wheelchair to pass through, however the Laceys say it is on an unlit part of the driveway and is a hazard to their daughter, who has has cerebral palsy and works at a supermarket near their home.

The family also claim the hump causes problems for their TVR Tuscan which has a clearance of only 5mm over the peak of the bump.

Last week, the couple received notice of action through the small claims court for a debt of £444, covering 12 months when they haven’t paid the full £85 fee, plus interest and costs.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We received an allegation of harassment and malicious communications on September 4, reporting abusive language had been used via email.

“Officers engaged with the complainant, investigating the circumstances of the matter, before giving advice. No further action was deemed necessary at this stage.”

Uttlesford District Council said: “The council’s planning enforcement team received a referral in relation to the speed humps — it was concluded the humps were not development requiring planning permission.”