WORRIED residents have complained about drivers speeding in their road.

Councillor Colin MacLean, who represents Cedar Hall Ward, said he has been contacted by residents in Kenneth Road, Benfleet, concerned cars travelling faster than the road’s 30mph speed limit will cause accidents.

In a letter sent to homes in Kenneth Road, Mr MacLean is asking for views on three options he has drawn up alongside councillors Liz Wass, Bill Dick and Beverley Egan to tackle the problem.

The councillors have proposed a Community Speed Watch, fixed speed cameras or a four-week poster campaign.

Mr MacLean said: “Speed is a real issue in this road, particularly with the Seevic college and two primary schools nearby.

“Residents are worried, and the ideal thing would be to have fixed speed cameras there, but obviously they’re not easy to get and are quite expensive. The application process is also lengthy.”

Essex has 85 Community Speed Watch groups which monitor speeds along specific roads. Results are forwarded to police, and warning letters sent to drivers travelling over the speed limit. When asked whether a four-week poster campaign would force drivers to consider the consequences of speeding, Mr MacLean was optimistic.

He said: “If somebody is used to doing 40 or 50 miles per hour on the road and suddenly sees a poster warning of the effects of speeding, it could make a difference.

“Posters drawn by children, such as the twenty’s plenty campaign, have been effective, so it might just make drivers slow down.

“Perhaps it’ll require a mix of this and residents taking control of the situation to get a better response.”

Ray Howard, chairman of Castle Point Local Highway Panel, suggested there were more ways to stop speeding motorists.

He added: “It is important to remember there are traffic calming measures, such as road-narrowing or a pelican crossing, which can be used.”

“Firstly, we would put speed watch apparatus on the road for a week so we know what we’re dealing with. I understand the residents’ concerns and we’ll only be too pleased to help.”