THERE are fears boy racers flouting speed limits in Maldon town centre are an “accident waiting to happen”.

Angry residents are contacting councillors with complaints about speeding cars in the town.

Some drivers are ignoring the 20mph speed limits in High Street and Market Hill.

Maldon councillor Michael Pearlman says he is receiving “daily complaints” from residents and businesses about the constant vehicle problems in the town.

He said: “Speeding and noisy illegal exhaust systems are changing our town’s normally peaceful environment into a dangerous and unpleasant one.

“We have very narrow pavements in the town and with a varied population of young families with prams to the very elderly and everyone in between, this has fast become an accident waiting to happen.”

One resident of Market Hill who did not want to be named said: “It’s especially bad in late evening as I hear motorists passing my property at excessive speed.

“One of my visitors was tailgated and a horn hooted at him as he drove down the hill at 20mph.”

The reduced 20mph speed limit was introduced in June last year by Essex County Council.

Mr Pearlman said: “There are people who abuse the system by driving too fast, sometimes racing other cars, some with noisy exhausts disturbing the peace or just parking anywhere on the pavement.

“Enough is enough and we are stamping down on it.”

Mr Pearlman has worked with Maldon District Council and Essex Police on the issue of speeding in the town for several years.

He said locations have now been approved for Trucam speed traps, and he has been told permanent signs will be in place by the end of the year.

There are also two special constables to patrol the area and tackle issues of concern for residents.

“We’ll be looking out for you,” warned Mr Pearlman.

“We want to stop this antisocial behaviour in the High Street.

“It won’t be tolerated anymore – the speed limit is now enforceable.”

Special Constable Brian Trigg, who was appointed as part of the initiative last November, revealed at a council meeting in July antisocial behaviour is one of the main issues police aim to address in the district.

Mr Pearlman added: "Another big concern is vehicles parking up on the pavement, as this is extremely dangerous to pedestrians, plus causing great difficulty for pushchairs, mobility scooters and the disabled to pass on the pavement safely.

"It also causes the problem of damage to the pavement thus causing another hazard for pedestrians."