Concern about accidents and the increased volume of traffic on one of Maldon's main roads has led to a package of safety improvements.

Essex County Council is now drawing up a list which could be implemented by the autumn.

It follows Dengie Hundred Group of Parish Councils' call for improvements at Fambridge Road and Lower Burnham Road.

Concerns have been expressed about traffic conditions there, underlined by three accidents with fatalities in recent months.

Representatives from the body met county officials last month to highlight various issues.

The group is concerned with the increased volume of traffic, the unsuitability of the road for heavy good vehicles, the inadequacies of the passing bays and poor condition of the road surface, particularly in the vicinity of Purleigh Wash and the Round Bush pub.

The county council is now waiting for a video survey of the road to be done to help implement improvements.

County principal engineer, Colin Cranley, said: "We will be reviewing all road signs, road markings and looking for all the interference of vegetation.

"Also we're looking at a couple of 40mph speed limits at Limebrook and Roundbush areas.''

He added that it is hoped some of the work can be tied in to improvement works which involve introducing mini -roundabouts at Palepits Corner which are due to take place in October.

Maldon District Council's planning, highways and environment services committee will receive a report on the traffic conditions on August 19.

The committee is also asked to support plans to replace the existing 40mph speed limit in Holloway Road, Heybridge with a 30mph limit and extend to just short of the Langford Road roundabout.

It is also proposed that from the other direction the existing 40mph limit through Langford be extended over the old railway bridge and down to the new roundabout.

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