TRAFFIC improvements worth about £240,000 have been agreed to make Colchester roads safer.

More than 30 improvements across the borough have been agreed by the Highways Panel for Colchester.

They include:

  • Lowering speed limits on busy roads and estates including Maldon Road and Butt Road
  • Installing new zebra crossings
  • Improving safety outside schools
  • A new system at The Strood to stop so many cars getting stranded.

New warning signs will be placed either end of the Strood with extra safety advice.

Mersea town mayor Peter Clements welcomed the news.

He said: “The council also plans to install depth markers which will show drivers how deep the water is at any time in the middle.”

The changes at the Strood will cost about £10,000.

Mr Clements said: “It is absolutely splendid because people keep running the risk with their cars, even during the especially big spring tides.

“There is danger, people have been stranded and rescued by the RNLI.

“Islanders know salt water under your car is not very good at all, it is like sulphuric acid.

“I hope they will put these measures in place as soon as they can.”

Another problem due to be addressed is dangerous speeding along Mill Road, in Fordham, while primary school pupils walk along narrow footpaths just inches away.

Stuart Wainwright, headteacher at Fordham All Saints Church of England Primary School, requested urgent improvements when he spoke to Essex County Council’s road safety team for schools.

The £10,000 plan is to come up with a design to solve the problem, carry out speed surveys and make improvements.

Also on the agenda is lowering the speed limit along the busy Maldon Road and Butt Road, in Colchester.

A consultation is due to take place.

A £40,000 zebra crossing is due to be installed on Circular Road West, near Goojerat Road.

The circular road network suffers from speeding drivers and has been the scene of some series car crashes.