HIGHWAYS bosses will set aside thousands of pounds to address concerns about a number of crash hotspots in Braintree and Witham.

A total of £87,500 will be spent on improving five junctions in the district where figures show a high number of road traffic collisions have occurred.

Improvements suggested by experts range from additional road signage and enhanced lane markings to redesigning junctions completely.

The extra cash being put forward forms part of Essex Highways’ Casualty Reduction Scheme which aims to address any concerns over road safety.

Bosses are aiming to spend £46,000 on improving the London Road/ A131 roundabout near Great Notley where there were three serious and one minor collisions between January 2015 and December 2017.

Highways plans to install extra road markings, including arrows, on and near to the roundabout to tackle what they describe as poor lane discipline. There will also be additional signage installed to instruct drivers to reduce their speed.

Elsewhere, £21,000 will be spent on reshaping the Witham Road and Temple Lane junction near Cressing Temple Barns, where three serious and one minor crashes between January 2014 and June 2017.

Plans are in place to remove the bennet island and install a simple giveway junction to help improve visibility. A new road surface will also be laid along with new speed restriction and giveway signs.

Up to £8,000 will be spent on investigative work at the Millenium Way junction with Century Drive in Braintree to see if a right turn only lane can be installed.

In Rivenhall, £6,500 will be used to put reflective bollards and upgrade chevron signs on a notoriously windy part of Braxted Road near Coleman's Reservoir.

And in High Garrett, new signs highlighting the change in speed limit near to the Three Counties Crematorium will be installed at the A131/ Petersfield Lane junction at the cost of £6,000.

New signs warning motorists of nearby deer will also be added to the roadside.

A spokesman for Essex Highways spokesman said making improvements to the county's roads and reducing the number of crashes is a top priority.

He added: "One fatal collision or life-changing injury is one too many, not only for the victim, but often with severe effects for their family for years to come.

"Highways has to very carefully prioritise road safety improvements as Casualty Reduction Schemes for where there is a pattern of more serious collisions and where an engineering solution is practical.

“Each Casualty Reduction Scheme is designed, tested using modelling then safety-audited and monitored after construction as any even slight changes to road layout for example can create unpredictable changes in driver behaviour.

“Even so, road layout is nearly always a very minor factor in any collision, with excess speed, inattention to driving (mobile phone use or other distractions), and drink and drug driving or mechanical issues being far more important contributors.

“There is, unfortunately, a minority of drivers who still ignore speed limits and even many who don’t bother wearing seat-belts – despite all the evidence that a seat belt will save your life in a serious collision.”