Village’s demand for better speed deterrent (From Echo)

Village’s demand for better speed deterrent

4:00am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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COMMUNITY campaigners have demanded highways bosses review safety measures which they believe have made a notorious road even more dangerous.

Mum-of-three Maria Carter, 44, is leading the residents’ campaign for action to be taken immediately in Church Road, Ramsden Bellhouse.

Maria uses the road on her round-trip to work, and says there are near misses every day.

She said residents believe the problem has been made worse by speed-calming chicanes, which were introduced four years ago to cut the number of accidents.

She said this was again confirmed last month when a speeding motorist ploughed through a garden wall next to a chicane, near the railway bridge.

It is the same spot where a man had to be dragged from the burning wreckage of his car after hitting a wall and a telegraph pole in August last year.

Meanwhile, the road is said to be frequently plagued by boyracers and through traffic.

Drivers are regularly caught doing more than double the 30mph speed limit.

Mrs Carter, who has lived in the area for 22 years, is in touch with neighbours and members of her parish council, who all share her belief.

She said: “It seems pretty obvious to us all these chicanes which force traffic to drive on the wrong side of the road have made this stretch even more dangerous.

“Speed cameras, or digital signs warning about speed, would be a much better option, and we want the council’s highways department to come and look at the situation again.”

Michael Page, a spokesman for Essex County Council, said: “Following requests from residents we have implemented a programme of traffic calming measures on Church Road.

“If residents are concerned with the way these measures are operating, we would request they contact the area highways office directly so that we can investigate further.”