Traffic calming measures introduced across Thurrock in recent years have sparked a storm of protest - but saved lives.

Thurrock Council has announced a third fewer children have been killed or seriously injured in the borough since 1998, when speed humps and other accident reduction measures were introduced.

Yash Gupta, the council's cabinet councillor for highways and traffic management, said: "I am very pleased that these measures are working. The scheme's performance has been excellent

"It is already saving lives and making Thurrock safer, especially for children."

Among the examples highlighted by the council is the Grays north area traffic calming scheme. The number of accidents fell from 27 in the three years before the scheme to just 11 in the three years since mini roundabouts, kerb build-outs and speed humps were introduced.

The King Edward Drive junction with Stanford Road was the site of 14 accidents over three years before the measures were introduced, compared with just one in the last two years.

Published Thursday, August 7, 2003

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