Campaigners have welcomed a scheme to improve a dangerous road junction at Palepits Corner, Cold Norton.

The scheme received Essex County Council's official backing last week, and officers said that the work could be carried out by the autumn.

The junction has long given rise to safety concerns, and the parish council has been campaigning for action.

"This is very good news," said Cold Norton parish clerk Mary Bryant. "I am sure local residents will be pleased as well, as it will make it much safer.

"It is renowned for being a dangerous junction."

Members of the county highways and transportation committee opted for a double mini roundabout which did not require any additional land.

The scheme addressed most of the concerns relating to the junction, including improved visibility, improved lighting and speed reduction.

The project, with additional street lighting and extension of the 40mph speed limit, looks set to be implemented from the minor schemes budget for 1999/2000, with £90,000 available for the work.

County senior engineer Ron Capes said that the next step was for consultant engineers W S Atkins to work out a detailed design.

Plans to extend the Maldon bypass northwards have been abandoned.

The highways committee considered a report last week which said it was unlikely that the proposal would be given priority by the county council or that financial support through the Local Transport Plan process would be forthcoming.

The extension would have provided a link between the B1018 Holloway Road or Langford Road across to the B1022 Broad Street Green Road.

Maldon district councillors had already rejected the idea as they feared that it would lead to further development and merge Heybridge with Great Totham.

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