SPEEDSTERS using a Wickford road as a “race track” have prompted urgent calls for action, with fears it is an accident just “waiting to happen”.

Essex Police have stepped in to tackle the speeding hotspot, Radwinter Avenue on The Wick, by carrying out speed checks in the area.

But a furious resident, who wished to remain anonymous, says the problem has been ongoing for years – causing major disruption and noise for those living nearby.

Although a previous speed survey showed average speeds of 31mph, Essex County Council have confirmed 20 drivers per day (more on Saturdays) were doing above 45mph.

The 48-year-old from Wickford, said: “It is typical Essex boy racers using the road for speeding and anti-social behaviour.

“Its a 30mph built up area, and you can quite clearly tell by the sound of their popping exhausts they are definitely not doing the speed limit.

“Its loud, noisy, illegal, and really is frustrating for those living near there.

“It mainly happens at night time and in the evening when the roads are quiet, so hopefully police will do speed checks then too and not just in the day.

“It is completely unsafe, especially during the summer holidays when all the kids are about.

“It is only a matter of time before there’s an accident.”

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Calling for action, Wickford Park councillor David Harrison has joined residents in calling for “slalom-style” traffic calming measure, which would both slow drivers and mean they have to give way to incoming traffic.

He continued: “The residents I’ve spoken to are asking for something like they have in Brock Hill, so traffic has to stop if theres anything coming the other way and it slows them down.

“People are worried, so if something can be done I think residents will be quite pleased.”

A spokesperson for Essex Highways, said: “This issue has been raised by councillors to the Basildon Local Highway Panel.

"A speed reduction scheme of lines and signs on the road was installed in 2019, but physical obstacles such as chicanes or speed bumps would inevitably add noise and local pollution as drivers on this busy road break and accelerate around them.

“There has been a low number of minor collisions here reported in recent years and it may be that the intervention by Essex Police to deter or catch anti-social dangerous drivers is the best solution.

"Councillors can also request a further review of the problem, particularly in the light of the effect of the police action.”