DRIVERS are still speeding on a Colchester road where two students died, a traffic survey led by youngsters has found.

Year 11 students from Alderman Blaxill School, in Paxman Avenue, Colchester, measured the speed of vehicles in nearby Layer Road for just over an hour on Tuesday evening alongside PCSOs.

Pupils from the school have been pressing for traffic calming measures after the deaths of fellow pupil Jordan Bell, 14, in 2008 and Alex Ramsdale-Launder, 13, who attended Stanway School, in 2007.

Jordan died after a collision with a car and Alex was cycling to school when he was involved in a collision with a bus at a zebra crossing.

As a result of the pupils’ work, a vehicle-activated sign has been put up on one side of Layer Road, near Kings Ford School. Sue Armstead, student services manager at Alderman Blaxill School, said Tuesday’s survey proved the sign already in place was effective, and there was a case for one on the opposite side of the road, where about 30 cars were clocked going over 30mph.

Jordan’s father, Steve Bell, said he was not surprised speeding was still an issue.

Mr Bell, of Littlefield Road, Colchester, said: “Two children have been killed on that road in the past couple of years. What is it going to take for people to start slowing down?

“People have to make that decision whether they are going to speed. They know they are speeding.

He said the signs were effective “to a point,” as drivers only slowed down at the sign, but added “anything” the pupils could do to help would make a “massive difference”.

The pupils are due to carry out another survey and will then send their results to Essex County Council to ask for another sign.

PCSO Elayne Hepworth-Alaoui, of Shrub End police station, said: “It’s important we support and work with the young people in our community, particularly on important issues like speeding.

“We hope this sends a clear message to drivers in the area that speeding and other driving offences will not be tolerated.”