A COUNCILLOR is campaigning to make a “dangerous” junction safe for residents following a “catalogue of accidents”.

Residents living near the Gravel Road and Eastwood Rise junction in Eastwood have long complained about dangerous driving in the area.

Councillor Paul Collins, responsible for asset management and inward investment, says he met with residents on Tuesday to discuss ways to make the junction safe.

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He was joined by senior council highways officers and cabinet member for highways councillor Steven Wakefield as they assessed potential solutions including: a mini painted roundabout; a raised table; or double yellow lines as junction protections on all four corners.

Echo: Image: Google MapsImage: Google Maps (Image: Image: Google Maps)

“It’s a blackspot and I don’t know of anywhere as bad as this in the whole of Eastwood,” said Mr Collins.

“I spoke to a couple who live on the corner, and they told me they did not feel the junction is safe for residents.

“They are concerned that Gravel Road is being used as a rat run on what is a small residential road.”

He added: “It’s got a history of bad accidents, cars coming down Gravel Road and hitting traffic coming along Eastwood Rise.

“We need to make it safe as there have been a catalogue of accidents in the area and it can’t carry on.”

Mr Collins says drivers using Gravel Road often miss the give-way sign near the junction; he is campaigning for the sign to be moved or enlarged to make it more visible.

“Going along Gravel Road it looks a straight line, but actually it’s not, which is part of the problem causing drivers to miss the signage,” he said.

“A raised table would be my preferred solution, but there is a water drain in the middle of the crossroads that we need to work around so we need to figure out was is possible and practical.”

Mr Collins added: “An engineer will inspect the site and give us the best solution, to what all of us agreed, is a clear and recorded dangerous junction.”

A Southend Council spokesman said: “…”