FAMILIES who live along a busy stretch of road in Southend are calling for a 30mph speed limit after another serious accident.

Residents living in Victoria Avenue say the reduction from a 40mph limit is needed as they have "lost count" of the number of crashes along the road.

On Tuesday, just after 6pm, a black Fiat Punto smashed into a garden wall, blocking one lane heading towards Cuckoo Corner.

Fay Morris, 47, lives in Victoria Avenue, and is demanding a 30mph limit.

She said: "You've only got to see the number of different fence panels on the central reservation to see how many accidents there have been.

"I think so many drivers are doing far more than 40mph when they drive past. A reduction to 30 might make them do just 40.

"I've lived here 22 years and I have four children aged 16 to 21. What if they or anyone had been on the pavement at the time?"

Her views were shared by neighbour Maureen Chapman, 63, whose wall was damaged in Tuesday's accident.

She said: "We dread driving on or off our property because cars are going so fast.

"We think some minor damage to properties along this stretch may have been caused by people panicking when trying to get on or off the road.

"We've been here 14 years and have lost count of the number of accidents."

Chris Dandridge, Victoria ward Labour councillor, was held up in the traffic jams following Tuesday's accident.

He said: "I think a 30mph limit is an excellent idea because a lot of motorists heading to Cuckoo Corner do exceed the speed limit.

"There's been a lot of accidents on that stretch recently and also, there's the pedestrian crossing just before that stretch that's used by many schoolchildren of all ages."

  • A 31-year-old woman from Rochford has been charged with careless driving, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident, failing to stop for police and driving with an inappropriate licence, following Tuesday's crash.

She was bailed to appear at Southend Magistrates' Court on May 1.