A FED-UP landlord has called for speed and parking restrictions to be enforced outside his pub before there is a serious accident.

Chris Potts, who runs the Foundry Arms in Artillery Street, Colchester, says drivers are flouting the 30mph speed limit on the road as they bid to beat nearby congestion.

Pub regulars helped fundraise for a community defibrillator to be installed outside the pub in 2015, but Mr Potts says cars sometimes park so close to it, would-be lifesavers could be unable to access the kit.

He said: "The street is a rat run to avoid Hythe Hill.

"It starts daily from 7am with drivers coming through at incredibly excessive speeds, and resumes again at 4pm.

"Two of our cats have been mown down in the last few months and my wife is in bits.

"There needs to be a one way system through Artillery Street before a child is killed - the roads around the area are 20mph, why can it not be on this road?

"If I was estimating I think people would be getting up to 40 or 50mph.

Mr Potts also called for double yellow lines to be introduced outside the pub.

He said: "If our defibrillator is needed over night, it could be troublesome accessing it.

"Inconsiderate drivers are parking across the junction of Victor Road and Artillery Street.

"We need double yellow lines to keep emergency life saving equipment for the community accessible to people.

A North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) spokesman said: “ “The NEPP considers the potential benefits and impacts of many parking or waiting restriction requests from across north Essex. Residents wanting parking or waiting restrictions should demonstrate local support, including from the local councillor.

“Each request is reviewed and scored, looking at key factors including the level of local support, potential benefits and impacts. Schemes are then referred to the committee to prioritise and agree which will be progressed.”

A spokesman for Essex Highways urged Mr Potts to ask the county councillor for the area to suggest the scheme for the Colchester Local Highways Panel to discuss.