A WOMAN living opposite a busy recycling centre has called for new measures to make the site safer following a serious crash.

An elderly woman had to be cut free by firefighters on Saturday afternoon after her car rolled following a collision with another car on Canvey Road, Canvey.

The woman, who had been trying to turn into the recycling centre at the time, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Basildon Hospital.

Ann Warren, 57, of Canvey Road, who was one of the first people at the scene, said she felt the 40mph speed limit near the recycling centre was too high.

She said: "Because of the increase in traffic, it's very important they reduce the speed here.

"The entrance is tucked behind bushes and it's hard to get a clear view.

"It's difficult for drivers to see the traffic while waiting to come out."

Mrs Warren claimed more than 250 cars an hour were turning in and out of the centre at peak times, plus 16 waste vehicles a day.

She said: "The council is encouraging recycling and it's gradually built up and built up.

"More and more people are using it and people are now coming from Benfleet.

"The vehicles are constantly turning. It's non-stop.

"One day someone will be killed out there."

Ray Howard, chairman of Essex County Council's South Essex highways panel, said he had discussed the traffic problems with Mrs Warren after the accident and had put in a request for a seven-day speed survey to be carried out on the road.

He had also called for a visibility study to be undertaken and recommended the traffic island close to the centre was extended to prevent motorists doing U-turns along the stretch.

He said: "The accident ratio has been very low, but one accident is too many.

"It brought the whole island to a standstill."