PLANS to spend £80,000 on safety improvements at an accident blackspot following a fatal crash are a “good start”, according to a campaigning councillor.

Essex County Council will lay new footpaths, widen a traffic island and install two new electronic warning lights alongside the A131 in High Garrett between Grove Field and Church Street.

However, district councillor David Mann, who lives on the stretch, said he was disappointed the council still refused to lower the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph.

He said: “It’s a sizeable amount of money, but it does fall very far short of what local residents were hoping for."

“It’s a direct result of a fatal accident and a very serious injury.”

Hedingham School pupil Helen Harvey, 16, was making her way to the bus stop from her home in Grove Field when dad-of-five Bryan Myers hit her at a speed of at least 67mph as he rode towards Halstead in December.

He died and she was left in a critical condition.

The scheme is expected to be completed by February 2016.