CAMPAIGNERS have accused highways bosses of putting money before safety after calls to slash the speed limit at an accident blackspot were rejected.

Councillors and residents want 20mph zones to be set up across Hullbridge following a string of crashes.

While there is no evidence speeding is to blame for the incidents, a campaign was launched for speed restrictions to be put in place along Ferry Road and Pooles Lane, past Crouch Avenue and the entrance to Tower Park.

While action looks set to be taken in Ferry Road, proposals for Pooles Lane - which is currently 30mph - have been thrown out by Essex County Council.

Hullbridge parish councillor Michael Hoy, who has been leading the campaign, said: “Cars have been seen speeding and the intention was to bring the speed down. Unfortunately, the plans for Pooles Lane have been rejected but Ferry Road has been accepted.

“I am disappointed and will be bringing it forward again within a few days.”

Diane Hoy, also a parish councillor in Hullbridge, added: “How many people need to die before we get the limit introduced? If the town wants the limit, they should get it. It should be up to the people who live there.

“At the end of the day, 20mph still keeps traffic moving, it just makes it safer. They have it in other places and it works really well.

“There have been so many accidents and even deaths. We also wanted a zebra crossing on Lower Road but that got turned down.

“They don’t seem to care about safety, just the cost. “The people who are making the decisions don’t live in Hullbridge so they don’t know what it is like. They shouldn’t put financial cost above people’s lives.

“People speed all the time, I hear them especially at night. They race down Hullbridge Road, I am surprised there haven’t been more accidents.”

Brian Carlton, head of Hullbridge Residents Association, said the fight for speed restrictions has been rumbling on for two years.

He said: “The parish council have limited powers so it is difficult to get it implemented. It is important because there have been three accidents there lately.

“A lot of drivers race down the roads and with the lack of police enforcement it is getting worse, especially near the schools.”

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “Recent speed surveys found that average speeds on Pooles Road were 19.9mph, so the road did not meet criteria for a reduction in speed limit.”