A CAMPAIGNER is calling for a speed limit to be reduced along a village road before “someone is killed”.

Fred Nicholls, who is the chairman of Great Bromley Parish Council, has been campaigning for the past eight years to get the speed limit reduced along Harwich Road following a series of accidents.

Mr Nicholls said there are two accident blackspots along the road when drivers are heading into the village.

One is by the houses on a bend in the road near the A120 bridge and the second is at the junction by the Court House, a few hundred metres further along the road.

He said he has received the support of the Local Highways Panel for the speed limit to be reduced from 40mph to 30mph.

Mr Nicholls said he made representations for the highways department last summer with Essex county councillor Carlo Guglielmi but claims no action has been taken since.

He now wants to increase the pressure on Essex County Council to reduce the speed limit following more accidents at the locations.

Mr Nicholls claimed there have been about four car accidents by the houses on the bend of Harwich Road near the A120 bridge so far this year.

“There was even an accident at the same spot last week,” he added.

“Fences were smashed down by the first house on the bend about six months ago.

“The cars are coming around the corner too quickly and people are losing control.

“I am concerned the next one could be serious or even a fatality.”

Mr Nicholls said the problem is caused by people who are driving into the village too fast when they are coming off the A120 and the new roundabout there.

He added: “I am worried there will be a fatality if the speed limit is not reduced.”

“I want the council to act before it is too late.”

There have also been about three accidents this year at the junction by the Court House, along Harwich Road, Mr Nicholls said.

Mr Nicholls said: “I want to see the whole of Harwich Road reduced from 40mph to 30mph.

“If it is reduced to 30mph it will naturally make the road much safer for drivers.”

“If it is reduced local people will respect it, so when people are behind cars they will also have to drive at 30mph.”

Essex County Council has been contacted for comment.

An Essex Highways spokesperson said: “The proposal to reduce the speed limit here was brought to the Tendring Local Highway Panel. However, a reduced limit doesn’t meet the Essex Speed Management Strategy as there isn’t substantial development (houses, other buildings) on both sides of the road here.

“Essex Police also did not support reduction of the speed limit here.”

There have been a few personal injury collisions here, but they don’t show a pattern involving speeding which would suggest the need for a reduction.

“Highways officers will continue to monitor the situation here and the Panel can take different decisions if things change.”