CAMPAIGNERS say they fear it is only matter of time before a child is injured amid concerns about speeding cars outside a school.

Members of a speedwatch group in Fordham have been lobbying for better traffic provisions to be installed.

The hope is more speed limit signs, speed bumps, or zebra crossings could help in deterring drivers from recklessly speeding through the village.

As well as potentially endangering pedestrians, Concerns have also been raised by parents whose children attend the All Saints Primary School, in Mill Road.

Vehicles are said to frequently speed by the site during the morning and afternoon school run and speedwatch members say there have been near misses.

Gazette:

Robert Fletcher, 69, of Moat Road, Fordham, moved to Fordham back in 2015 and became aware of the speeding issue.

He decided to join the community speedwatch group to make the village safer for his four young grandchildren who regularly visit him.

He said: “We have all sped at some point in our lives, I have, and I got prosecuted for it and it still hurts to think about.

“But there are some people who are just always going to speed and race around and that makes me worry for my grandchildren.

“We have got to the stage where we need this issue solved and I feel we need to get more aggressive about this if anything is going to get done.”

Mr Fletcher, alongside his fellow speedwatchers and villagers are now throwing their weight behind a proposal for a zebra crossing to be put in place outside the school.

The report will first be considered by Fordham Parish Council, but Mr Fletcher fears nothing will change.

He added: “We have been banging our heads against the system for ages, but the system does not seem to react until something happens.

“I hope it never happens to anyone’s child but nothing will be done unless someone is hit down, but then it will be too late. I can’t help but feel the report is just a paperwork exercise.”

Councillor Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for infrastructure, has now reassured residents action is being taken.

He said: “Fordham Parish Council is working with the Colchester Highway Panel to help deter speeding in the village.”

The next proposal is to add to the village “Gateway” signs with a notice that Fordham is now a community Speedwatch Village.

Community Speedwatch volunteers monitor vehicle speeds and liaise with Essex Police to enforce 30mph limits. Other safety improvements can certainly be suggested to the Panel, who will then carry out a speed survey, currently being discussed with the Parish Council.

The most effective ways of raising an issue, please, is to involve the Parish Council and the local Essex County Councillor for Fordham, my colleague Anne Brown, who can then raise the matter directly with the Panel.”