New speed limits have been enforced on several Brentwood roads to reduce accidents.

Many existing 40mph speed limits in residential areas are now 30mph. In addition, Essex Police and Essex County Council are launching a new pilot scheme aimed at identifying speeding hotspots and the worst offenders.

The two year scheme, starting in April, will cost £5m and will involve greater use of speed cameras.

"We're making a commitment to the people of Essex to reduce casualties, and speed and red light cameras have already proven to be an effective method of achieving this," said Brian Ladd of Essex Police traffic management unit.

"They will be used sensibly and fairly, targeting the worst offenders. In this way, the speeder pays and the community benefits.

"If motorists consciously alter their driving habits and cut their speed we'll see an overall reduction in road accidents and casualties."

The speed limit changes affect the following roads:

A128 Ongar Road (Coxtie Green Road to Warescot Road)

A1023 Shenfield Road (Middleton Road to Sawyers Hall Lane)

A1023 Chelmsford Road (Mountnessing roundabout to Tudor Close)

A1023 Brook Street/London Road (Wigley Bush Lane to Kavanaghs Road)

l A129 Rayleigh Road (borough boundary to Hutton village)

Coxtie Green Road (west of Warwick Place to A128 Ongar Road).

Also, new 30mph speed limits are introduced in Alexander Lane, from the junction with Chelmsford Road to the start of the existing 30mph speed limit, and Ashwells Road from Ongar Road to Days Lane.

One in three of accidents in the county is speed-related.

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