ADDING DOMES to two mini roundabouts in Witham would be dangerous and a waste of money, councillors have said.

The Local Highways Panel has suggested adding the domes to the two roundabouts between Mill Lane and Guithavon Valley.

The panel said it was to make the junction safer, as people drive straight across the white dots marking the roundabout, which they see as being dangerous.

Councillors on Witham's Environment Committee have said their objections are being ignored.

Christopher Bailey, who sits on the committee, said: "There's a great deal of discomfort in the committee that the Local Highways Panel seem to ignore the concerns by town councillors, who know and are familiar with the area.

"They think it's wrong that motorists drive over the white dot, but it's a very constrained junction and it will cause a problem to add domes.

"You can't get across the junction without going over the roundabouts, it would cause safety problems if they add the domes.

"They plan to do it to reduce traffic speed but we have made repeated concerns that it's not a good idea. It's a waste of money and would not be safe."

Angela Kilmartin, who lives in Newland Street and uses the junction regularly, said the public is looking to have more of a voice over what happens to their roads.

She said: "I use the roundabouts quite a lot and they are very tight. The cars are at speed on all approaches and they aren't going at the sort of speed that would be safe if one side of the car was lifted up.

"It's a small town centre and all the roads around here are small, and the cars are getting bigger, but what can we do?

"We as citizens think we should have far more say."

The Environment Committee did say good improvements are being proposed to improve safety and ease congestion, including spending £25,000 installing a right turn signal at the crossroads at The Avenue and Newland Street.

The committee also supported improvements costing about £11,000 on the crossing at Maldon Road, including adding beacons and more signage.

The Local Highways Panel also suggested more parking bays along Guithavon Valley, which councillors thought was a good idea.