AN Essex County Council cabinet member for Highways has promised action for a busy Althorne road after calls for a speed limit reduction.

Councillor Lee Scott addressed a packed meeting of more than 70 people last Wednesday in St. Andrew's Church Hall.

The meeting was organised by Maldon District Council leader Wendy Stamp in response to residents’ call for a speed limit reduction on the B1010 Fambridge Road.

A presentation detailed efforts made over 20 years for the speed limit on the road to be reduced from 40mph to 30mph, presented by Tom Scott on behalf of Althorne Community Together (ACT).

Read more: Residents invited to discuss speed limit on busy Althorne road

As well as poor vision due to dangerous bends and blind dips and summits, Tom pointed out the narrowness of the road, the poor condition of the footways and overgrown verges.

This all leads, Tom presented, to difficulties for pedestrians compounded by what residents say is a "huge" increase in the size and frequency of HGVs.

After the presentation guests were given the opportunity to voice their opinions.

Mr Scott agreed with residents that there is a problem and promised to consider solutions urgently.

The Essex councillor is set to meet with the Police and Crime Commissioner and will discuss how any measures might be enforced.

He told residents to put history behind them and move on to look at the future and promised to hold another open meeting to report back on what he is planning to do before the end of the year.

He said: “The buck stops with me.”