A 20 mph speed limit could be imposed in Rochford, it was revealed today.

The reduction from 30 mph in the town centre is just one of a package of measures put forward by county highways chiefs to improve the town for residents, motorists and pedestrians.

Essex County Council commissioned consultants to carry out a traffic study earlier this year after problems with traffic stacking up around Market Square and cars speeding through the narrow streets endangering the safety of shoppers.

Members of Rochford's Town Centre Working Group have now been shown a draft of the study.

Keith Francis, of county highways, who was responsible for the Rayleigh town centre road improvements, explained it was still in the very early stages and wanted to speak to all people concerned to get opinions before going out to public consultation.

He said: "We are inviting initial reaction from members and will be taking ideas from them on board."

The main implications of the traffic study include:

A 20 mph speed limit through the town centre

Banning lorries from using the town as a route to industrial areas

Finding another access to Back Lane car park so traffic does not have to travel through the town centre

Encouraging motorists to use off-street parking

Improving bus stops and creating cycle paths on some roads

Changing some one way streets to two way to reduce the amount of traffic having to go through the town centre.

Members of the forum have been asked to go away and think about the plans before meeting again with highways bosses for a brain-storming session in August.

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