A police chief today demanded action to end the mounting death toll on a section of the A127 before it turns into a "cemetery".
Chief Supt Peter Sheldrake, head of Basildon police, has joined forces with Basildon Council to insist highway bosses get their act together and solve the problem on the stretch past the Mayflower Retail Park.
Cemetery fears - the new signs on the A127 Picture: ROB BROWNE
A letter has been sent to Essex County Council, following the recent deaths of two women - Leearna Briggs and Shara Stone.
The highway authority's initial response to the deaths was to put up 16 signs proclaiming "Do not cross - fatal accident site" along the central reservation, on the edge of the Mayflower Retail Park.
A spokesman for Basildon Council said: "We have requested that a physical barrier be erected to prevent another accident."
Mr Sheldrake said: "We need to think laterally for a solution - be it a raised barrier, a footbridge or even speed restrictions.
"We want to send a clear message that something needs to be done. I worry that we haven't done enough. You can drive along that road and see far too many roadside memorials.
A spokesman for Essex County Council said: "We are doing more. The signs were an immediate measure. But we are doing a feasibility study on the possibility of an increased barrier."
Published Thursday, April 17, 2003
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