More people were injured on Essex's roads last year, new figures show, but casualty numbers remain lower than before the pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic saw road casualties drop across Great Britain as drivers stayed at home during lockdowns, but charities have warned the Government must do more to tackle a rise in injuries from traffic accidents.

Provisional figures from the Department for Transport show there were 2,995 road casualties in Essex in 2021 – a rise from 2,733 the year before, but fewer than the 3,201 in 2019.

Fewer people were killed on the area's roads last year – 36 people died, while 42 were killed in 2020.

Meanwhile, 638 serious injuries were recorded – an increase on the year before, when 511 people were badly hurt.

National figures show 2,261 children were injured and 33 killed on Britain's streets last year.

Scott Williams, of safety charity Brake, said every child should have the right to walk in their neighbourhood without fear of traffic or pollution.

"It is vital that children can walk safely in the places where they live," he added.

Overall, across Great Britain there were 127,967 road casualties in 2021 – an 11 per cent rise on the year before – while 1,560 people were killed.

Of those who died, 686 were car users, but 363 pedestrians and 299 motorcyclists were also killed.

The number of cyclists who lost their lives dropped by 20 per cent from 141 in 2020 to 113 last year.

Commenting on the Department for Transport figures, Mark Turner, chief executive of the Road Victims Trust, said: "It remains a terrible fact that four people will be killed on the roads of the UK each day, with many more suffering life-changing injuries.

"The devastation and trauma caused by these collisions is immense and it is disturbing to see a climb in the numbers of people affected."

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “While there has been a decline in road casualties in recent years, any fatality on our roads is a tragedy and our sympathies remain with anyone who has lost a loved one.

“Road safety is a top priority we are committed to improving through education and updates to the Highway Code that will help protect vulnerable road users, alongside our highly successful THINK! Campaign.”