TWO speed cameras on the A127, which were set up on a temporary basis 18 months ago, are to be made permanent.

Hundreds of drivers have been hit with £60 fines and three penalty points by cameras on both sides of the A127 at the Fortune of War junction in Basildon.

Motorists might have thought the cameras were being scrapped as they are currently not in use, but county hall bosses are so pleased with the results they want to keep them.

The devices were put up 18 months ago when a new anti-skid road surface was laid as a trail at the junction.

The surface has now been found to be effective and officials at Essex County Council say the camera have “significantly” cut crashes at the site.

Norman Hume, county councillor responsible for highways, said: “Since the safety camera and speed restriction was introduced at the Fortune of War roundabout there have been no serious accidents at this site.

“Therefore, I have asked my officers to make these measures permanent.”

At the moment, the cameras are not in use and are being covered by red hoods.

Officials claim this is because a temporary traffic order legalising the cameras has run out.

An order making the devices permanent has not yet been authorised.

Basildon MP Angela Smith has campaigned for the junction – which once was a full roundabout – to be removed. She said the cameras would not solve traffic problems at the junction.

She said: “Traffic has to travel more slowly there because Essex County Council failed to do what they should have done and moved the roundabout.

“Speed cameras will not solve the problem, they are a cheap and tacky option.”