THE speed limit along Canvey’s seafront could be slashed to 20mph in a bid to stop careless drivers putting beachgoers at risk.

Campaigners have vowed to clamp down on racers spotted along Eastern Esplanade and Furtherwick Road, Canvey, over fears someone will be seriously hurt.

The area outside the Monico restaurant, where the two roads meet, has been identified as the most troublesome area.

Business owners met with councillors to discuss ways of making the seafront safer, at a time when steps are being taken to attract more visitors.

One of the options proposed is reducing the speed limit from Furtherwick Road’s mini roundabout with Western Esplanade to Eastern Esplanade’s junction with May Avenue from 30mph to 20mph.

This will bring Canvey seafront in line with the limit along Eastern Esplanade and Western Esplanade, Southend.

Suzanne Gray, owner of a number of seafront businesses including the Monico, Cheeky Monkey’s, and Fantasy Island, said something needs to be done to slow traffic down.

She said: “I’ve seen a couple of very near misses over the years, where cars have gone on the pavement and nearly hit people.

“What you have to bare in mind now is that the seafront is more popular, so there’s more risk.

“I think bringing it down will make people think a bit more, and having signs there will make it clear people need to slow down.

“We’re just looking to try and make the seafront safer for families.”

Mrs Gray added that she wasn’t in favour of introducing speed cameras.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Independent Party, said he hopes a deal can be struck.

He said: “We really need to be taking a look into this, and it was only after we had the meeting this week that it became clear how bad it gets.

“We were standing on the corner by the Monico and could just see the cars racing around, and that’s when we realised something has to be done. We’ll try and get this looked at by the local highways panel.

“We want to build on how popular the seafront has been and make people feel safe.”

Ray Howard, deputy county councillor for highways, has called on officials to carry out speed checks to begin the process of introducing measures.

He said: “The fantastic work of all those volunteers on the two beach groups, Friends of Concord Beach and Canvey Bay Watch, have helped to make the seafront so popular. It has to be made more safe, and if that means reducing the speed limit and the risk of potential fatalities, then we have to do that.”

About 500 cars were spotted parked in the Labworth car park last Thursday as the popularity of Canvey seafront grows.