AFTER months of campaigning by your local Conservative councillors, Thurrock Council are about to consult with residents on measures to reduce speeding and accidents on Southend Road.
Cllr. Phil Anderson, who represents Stanford East and Corringham Town, said, “Whilst the police have done their best to deal with the problems of speeding and bad driving on Southend Road we really need a more permanent solution. Thurrock Council have now looked at various options and there are 3 levels of action which could be taken and as local councillors we want to know what residents think”.
The proposed levels of action are;
Level 1: Coloured and textured road markings in each direction by the four main junctions along this stretch. These would consist of 3-2-1 approach bars plus a ’SLOW’ marking in each location.
Advantages: can be funded immediately, evidence shows they do reduce speeds in most cases
Concerns: unlikely to solve the problem on its own.
Level 2: Vehicle activated flashing speed signs and a new pedestrian crossing in the area
Advantages: likely to have a greater effect on speed and pedestrian safety.
Concerns: would have to be applied for from next year’s budget so not guaranteed
Level 3: Full traffic calming scheme including features such as speed bumps, islands, or slaloms.
Advantages: Maximum effect on speed and safety.
Concerns: Emergency services oppose the idea, could cause congestion at peak times, very expensive, major risk that traffic would be diverted onto Branksome Avenue.
Cllr Anderson added, “We would be in favour of implementing Levels 1 & 2, but not Level 3. It is, however, vital that we know what residents want and we would welcome their feedback”.
If the problem is that serious that it has been taken to the Council and isn’t just an intermittent issue, say at Christmas time when people are drinking and driving home quite late, then I doubt that the word ‘SLOW’ will stop them, simply because there is no immediate consequence if they don’t slow down. Level 2 will work well with the crossing because the immediate consequence is running someone over. In regards to Level 3, where I live, people fly over the speed bumps – they don’t do much at all!
I have lived near the road for 39 years and the problem has always beeb easy to solve, its not the speed that is the problem. its the cars parked on the side of the road that almost makes it a one lane road for 20hrs.
from nursery road to corringham all the cars parked on the right hand side of the road make the road so narrow that picking up wing mirrors was a great past time as a kid.
just ask why that part of the road has never been made a no parking zone, i meen its on a bend? well ask a few who live there and find out who they are and then you will know.
Perhaps the reverend likes the idea of graffiti and painting murals on the roads. He could see all the pretty colours and say his prays as he flies over Stanford in his micro light.