A series of road improvement schemes throughout Castle Point have been hailed a success, thanks to a "safety first" approach.

The council's lead member for transportation, Brian Wilson, will present a full report of his findings at a full council meeting next week.

He will highlight some of the highway projects which he claims have made the borough a safer place for motorists and pedestrians.

Mr Wilson said: "Clearly the aim was safety. The people of Castle Point can now be safer, that is what it's all about."

He will refer to works which are under way in New Road, Hadleigh, to improve the visibility at the junction of Templewood Court which should reduce traffic speeds.

Mr Wilson is also set to praise measures taken which widened Essex Way, Benfleet, after attempts to have the speed limit reduced were unsuccessful.

He said: "Essex Way was a safety matter. There were two lanes coming up and one lane going down, all at high speed. The police didn't want to reduce the speed limit so with the county council we cut the road down to two lanes.

"Improvements have also been carried out at the junction of Vicarage Hill with the High Road, Benfleet to dramatically increase pedestrian visibility at the junction and to enable safer crossings at Vicarage Hill."

Mr Wilson added: "We had a little windfall of extra funding from the county council because we finished all of the transport projects we needed to before Christmas."

Published Friday, April 25, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo