CAMPAIGNERS fighting for a 30mph zone in Basildon’s Dry Street fear they could have to wait ten years for it even to be considered.

Essex County Council carried out a speed survey on the road, close to where musician Justin Bowman was killed last May, and officials said it showed no speeding problem there.

However, residents say they regularly face a perilous walk along the road, which in parts is a single track, facing cars often driving as fast as 50mph. Part of the road has a 30mph limit, while the section near Nethermayne is a 40mph zone.

County Hall has promised to continue monitoring the road, but the date of the next survey has not been set.

The council has also pledged to review the speed limit when a detailed planning application to build 725 homes on land off Dry Street is submitted. However, this has led campaigners to fear such a review could be a decade away.

Kerry Smith, Ukip county councillor for Westley Heights, who pushed for the speed survey, said: “It’s nonsense. I think County Hall is watching what happens. The Dry Street development hasn’t even had planning permission yet.

“It could be ten years before they build anything. To put a speed limit in, they have to pay for an advert in the paper, a consultation, a sign, new pole. It could cost as much as £6,000.

“But it costs a lot more taxpayers’ cash overall, with the cost of police time, ambulances and NHS costs because of accidents.”

A County Hall spokesman said: “After the speed survey carried out in November for the Dry Street area, the results demonstrated vehicle speeds were within the set limits.

“This shows that road-users are compliant to the 40mph and 30mph speed limits. No action will be taken at this time regarding further reduction in speed limits but the road will continue to be monitored.”