Plans are afoot to launch a community speed watch team in Canvey to battle speeding drivers and subsequent accidents across the island.

The proposal was put forward during Canvey Town Council’s community relations meeting.

It was agreed that members begin investigating the formation of a potential speed watch group and begin to appeal for volunteers to run the scheme.

A speed watch group would work directly with Essex Police, handing over information for the force to then act on.

The plans come after a five vehicle crash near Waterside roundabout last Friday saw two people taken to hospital and hours of backlogged traffic on the island.

Councillor Ray Howard admitted following that crash that road traffic collisions are becoming far too regular on the island and something needs to be done to stop them.

Although the cause of the crash is unclear, councillors recognised during the meeting that speeding is one of the main concerns they hear from residents on the island.

Doreen Anderson proposed the scheme during Monday’s meeting.

She said: “This is something I have seen that other town councils have set up.

“It’s a group of volunteers that monitor traffic in problem areas for speeding, which we know is an issue that comes up time and time again on Canvey.

“The group will report their findings to Essex Police, they are trained by Essex Police, and I have had discussions with officers in Castle Point and their active citizens have just been trained in this community speed watch scheme.

“They report their findings and then police act on that information, whether that be through warnings. cautions, or prosecutions. At this stage, we cannot do anything without the volunteer base to actually run it.

“I know Rayleigh have had a lot of success with doing it but I think its one of these issues that comes up in Canvey and we all hear about a few problem areas time and time again.”

Volunteers for the speed watch would receive training from Essex Police and would feed information back to the force directly.

Plans are still in the early stages, with no indication yet as to how much time volunteers would have to dedicate. Anyone willing to take part should contact Canvey Town Council.