PLANS are on hold to introduce a crossing near a school as the speed of traffic is too high to justify one.

Earls Colne Parish Council raised concerns to Braintree Council's Local Highways Panel about Church Hill.

The road is used by students at Earls Colne Primary School, who are finding it difficult to cross.

A scheme is already being looked at for a crossing, however a report read out at a meeting on Thursday, January 19, said another speed test must be carried out.

A traffic survey found the majority of people were driving at 36.9 miles an hour southbound, and 34.9 miles an hour northbound.

The actual speed limit along Church Hill is 30 miles an hour.

They said the score is just above the threshold for the zebra crossing as speeds need to be below 35 miles an hour.

The report said: "If speeds are high the likelihood of a collision with pedestrians is increased.

"It is recommended not to proceed with this request, but it was agreed at the July Local Highways Panel meeting to carry out another survey in January or February 2017."

Ian Sparks, vice chairman at the parish council, said councillors had sent back the query to be looked at again.

He said: "If people are crossing the road via a mid-road island and the speeds are allegedly 36mph, surely a pedestrian crossing would be the ideal thing to put across there?

"We did send the query back to the panel and they have put out the speed meter again.

"It was all started by a lady with a couple of children, she came to us with a petition."

He said it was silly that the crossing was necessary but speeds are too high.

He said: "If it was too high you would have thought they would put something in for the safety of the people, but they would rather see someone stand in the middle of a road on an island and that isn't right."

The school was contacted for comment.