CAMPAIGNERS took drastic action in a bid to stop motorists using the seafront as a race track.

Armed with banners and signs, a group of residents blocked the road on Friday in protest over speeding traffic and to demand action.

The demonstrators, who form Southchurch Action Group, are appealing to the council for speed cameras and a crossing in Eastern Esplanade, Southend, to combat the dangerous driving they feel takes place.

One man who helped organise the protest and wants to be known by his initials BJ said the problem has been worsening over the last three years.

The man who is in his 70s and has lived in Eastern Esplanade since 2009, said: “The traffic in this road is absolutely horrendous.

“Drivers know there are no speed cameras between Lifstan Way and the Kursaal so they treat it like a race track.

“You have hundreds of children walking from the beach over to the shops and they get caught in the middle because of the speeding traffic.

“It is just so dangerous and it is only a matter of time before someone gets killed.”

The group stood in the road and stopped traffic for about 10 minutes, while hundreds of people looked on with some supporting their cause by applauding.

He added: “We didn’t want to frustrate drivers but we wanted to make a point.

“One driver mounted the pavement to get round us which just shows the level of consideration in drivers in that road.

“Others waited patiently until we moved.”

A petition was created on Friday and it already has more than 500 signatures with the group planning to send it to Southend Council in two weeks.