COUNCIL bosses may push ahead with controversial plans to install average speed cameras along Southend’s Golden Mile.

Highways officers at Southend Council have recommended the hi-tech system, despite objections from traders and opposition councillors.

The council’s Conservative leadership sees the cameras, which would be funded by Southend-based Olympus Keymed, as the best way to enforce the 20mph speed limit in Marine Parade.

The idea will still have to be rubber-stamped by the cross-party traffic and parking working party committee at its meeting next week, but Tony Cox, the Tory councillor responsible for transport, said it had his backing.

He said: “It has got my full support. Clearly the final decision is up to the committee, but I believe it is a very sensible idea which would help control traffic along a very busy stretch of road.”

Council chiefs first pitched the cameras plan in June, after the speed limit along the seafront was dropped to 20mph as part of the £7.6million City Beach shared space scheme.

Engineers conducted a speed survey along the stretch of road over three days in May, which found motorists’ average speed was between 18mph and 21mph.

However, it is the lack of crossings and warning signs along the Golden Mile since the expensive revamp was completed in April that has sparked the most fears over pedestrians’ safety.

Graham Longley, leader of the council’s Liberal Democrats, said: “Obviously I am not against anything which would improve safety, but I do not think cameras are the answer here.

“The problem is the lack of crossings, and while they may top up the council’s coffers, cameras will not help to solve that.”

Roger Fisher, who runs Doodahs burger bar in Marine Parade, also previously criticised the plans. He said: “Drivers are already within 20mph. We would rather see the money spent on a crossing in Marine Parade.”

The traffic and parking working committee will meet at Southend Civic Centre, from 6pm on Thursday.