A COMPANY has paid £50,000 for road signs to warn drivers about the A127’s average speed cameras.

Olympus KeyMed, in Southend, has paid Essex County Council for 16 signs to tell drivers about the average speed cameras and the 50mph and 70mph limits.

It also wants to improve the existing signs to make the speed limit clearer.

The medical equipment firm employs about 1,000 people at its base in Stock Road, Southend.

Peter Holmes, community projects co-ordinator for the firm, said the location of the current signs are not consistent and leave some motorists confused.

He said: “The money is to help motorists. The average speed zone was put in to reduce accidents on the road and we think it’s been effective, as so many motorists adhere to the speed limit.

“All we’re saying is, as motorists who drive along that road, there is a lack of consistency in the signs and our idea is to have the same approach to signposting at each end of the zone.”

In August, the county council said more than 600 drivers had been caught by the cameras since they were turned on between Nevendon and Southend in January.

The county council has now approved both the Olympus Keymed and Southend Council donations for the works.

Southend Council donated £197,000 to county hall to pay for two variable message signs on the A127’s approach to Southend, which can warn of upcoming traffic problems.

County council spokesman Michael Page, said: “This work will provide an enhancement to the current signs, making it even easier for drivers to identify they are entering an average speed check region and reminding them of the speed limit as they enter.

“We expect the upgrade to be completed during the current financial year.”