Plans to improve road safety around two busy Southend schools have won the backing of councillors.

The proposals for a service road off Eastern Avenue which also serves homes in the area were given unanimous backing by Southend Council's traffic and parking committee.

They are aimed at improving safety for students at both Cecil Jones High School and the nearby Temple Sutton primary schools.

Bob Hellen, head of Cecil Jones said he was delighted the proposals, including speed humps, a no waiting area and a 20 mph speed zone, had been agreed by members.

He said: "We have 1,000 students every day going out straight onto this road and cars are travelleing along it at up to 50mph.

"Young people often walk around in groups and they sometimes walk out and do not take the care they should do.

"These measures are welcomed by both schools as an important way forward to help with road safety in the area."

Committee chairman Brian Kelly (Con, Southchurch) said he hoped that the school would also take measures to try to control children crossing the main Easern Avenue without using the footbridge, particularly to use the nearby McDonalds drive through restaurant on the site of the former Invisble Man pub.

Published Friday, June 20, 2003

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