RECKLESS motorists could soon find themselves on the wrong side of the law after two electronic anti-speeding signs were put up along a busy road.

The two devices were installed along both sides of Thorney Bay Road, Canvey, following a string of complaints from residents about drivers flouting the 30mph limit.

The signs flash up a motorists' speed in green if cars are within the limit and red if they exceed it.

Essex County Council will be monitoring the percentage of drivers speeding, and it is understood a permanent speed camera could be installed if the problems continue.

Resident James Cowlard, 66, a grandfather-of-five, said he had been forced to clean up shattered glass from the road following a spate of accidents in the past 18 months.

He said: "The speed indication device is outside my house and seems to be quite effective. Motorists are seeing the speed flash up and are breaking to slow down."

He believes extra yellow lines would prevent further crashes being caused by parked cars creating a blind spot on a bend.

"I would also like to see further parking restrictions," he said.

"Cars park on the bend and drivers suddenly see someone come round the corner. They are forced to break suddenly, and then another vehicle bangs them from behind."

Ray Howard, county and borough councillor, said he was delighted to see the flashing signs in Thorney Bay Road.

He said: "I'm hoping they will enable us to enforce the law and target the speeding motorists who put people's lives at risk.

"Hopefully, it will be the start of more speeding restrictions which will teach people speeding kills."

Norman Hume, cabinet member responsible for highways and transportation, said two reported accidents had happened along Thorney Bay Road over the past three years.

He said: "We have recently put in two vehicle activated signs along Thorney Bay Road.

"These are an effective method of warning drivers they are travelling at inappropriate speeds, and are a vital part of our speed management strategy for reducing accidents."