A parents group is set to win its fight to get road safety measures outside two schools.

Protestors believe Church Street and Fennes Road, in Bocking, are accidents waiting to happen and have campaigned for two years to make them safer for children to cross.

Parents launched a petition in November - signed by 240 people - demanding action on speeding traffic and parking congestion near Bocking Church Street and Edith Borthwick schools.

And the show of people power has led to a decision by Essex County Council to ban parking at the junction of the two roads.

The campaign was spearheaded by the parent-teacher group, Friends of Bocking Church Street School.

Chairman Ruth Salisbury-Higgs said: "The roads are a nightmare and our children have to constantly dodge in and out of traffic on their way to and from school.

"We want a safe area where children can see on-coming traffic. Although there's been no accidents so far, there are near misses all the time.

"We decided to organise a petition because we wanted action to be taken before a tragedy took place. It would be too late then. I think many parents drive their children to school because they feel it is unsafe to walk.

"But if these measures are introduced, I think they'd feel more comfortable and this would lead to less traffic."

The county council has decided to keep some parking on the streets so it acts as a traffic-calming measure to speeding motorists.

It has requested Braintree Council makes an order to introduce a prohibition of waiting measure.

But there have been objections from four Church Street residents, who feel the scheme will actually increase traffic speeds.

The proposal will be considered at Braintree Council's area committee on Tuesday.

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