TWO women were “seconds from death” after a car ploughed into them on a “death trap” junction which has seen at least eight crashes in just two years.

The women were hit on the junction of the Chase and Warwick Road in Rayleigh, by a man who had failed to stop at the give way sign, it is claimed.

The friends were left shaken and without injury on Saturday evening, but residents and councillors believe if the impact from the vehicle had been “half a second” later into the side of the car rather than the front, the consequences could have been devastating.

Cheryl Roe, deputy leader of Rochford Council, is pleading for action after at least eight crashes on the junction in the last two years.

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The Echo understands Essex Highways had investigated installing a speed ramp at the entrance to the Chase, but engineers have since ruled it out.

Mrs Roe, who lives nearby, said: “It’s a death trap, it’s a matter of life and death at the junction.

“People just don’t stop at the junction.

“It’s a rat run.

“I’ve put forward speed restrictions through the Essex Highway Panel, but they didn’t get anywhere. We had the plans agreed to get it installed. Something needs to be done.”

The vehicle was written off.

Geoff Sandford, 74, the co-ordinator of the Rayleigh Neighbourhood Watch, who lives on The Chase, added: “If the car had hit them half a second later into their side, I don’t think they would have survived.

“Something needs to be done along there.

“Speeding is also an issue on The Chase. It’s frustrating that nothing has been done.

“My daughter caught the aftermath and told me there had been another crash.”

A mini-roundabout at the junction or increased signage has been proposed as solutions by Mrs Roe and Mr Sandford.

A spokesperson for Essex County Council, said: “There is only one recorded injury collision here in the last five years and also few recorded at the identical junctions on the same road.

"Councillors on the Rochford Local Highway Panel commissioned engineers to study the practicality of a ramp or speed table at this location.

"This has not been ruled out, but safety engineers have reported that there is no more risk at this specific junction compared to the other identical junctions nearby.

"The installation of a traffic-calming measure like this would also need to be considered in terms of the impact on local residents and the associated noise and potential vibration damage to properties, as well as the likelihood of increasing local congestion and pollution.

"If residents still wish to consider these measures, it is suggested that local councillors hold further discussions which might lead to a full public consultation.

"Essex Highways will follow-up the engineer’s recommendation to improve the Give Way signs here.”