Billericay residents today warned urgent action must be taken before someone is killed on the chaotic road outside their homes.

They spoke out after yet another crash on Noak Hill Road which left a 45-year-old man with serious head injuries

The street was closed for around two-and-a-half hours following the smash between a Billericay-bound HGV truck carrying concrete slabs and a blue Ford Transit on the opposite carriageway.

The truck driver, 45-year-old Christopher Hollman of Wrotham, Kent, was left uninjured but extremely shocked by the smash.

The transit driver had to cut free by fire crews from Billericay with the help of the rescue tender from Leigh.

After the 20 minute rescue he was taken to Basildon Hospital with head and leg injuries. Traffic police are now keen to trace witnesses to the smash.

A police spokesman said the accident happened at around 9.30am yesterday when the road would have been busy. He added that early indications were the pick-up truck had swerved into the path of the truck.

Locals are now urging Essex County Council to lower the 60mph speed limit on the road or install traffic calming measures to slash the number of accidents.

Neighbours mounted a desperate anti-speed campaign 18 months ago and have renewed their efforts following the latest incident.

David Parsall, 44, said: "The speed limit is 60mph past our front door and motorists think they can get away with doing more than that.

"What concerns me is that it could have been a coach load of schoolchildren involved in that accident.

"It may not have been related to speed but they normally are on this stretch of road. The most ludicrous part is that the speed limit is 40mph further down."

He added: "It's inevitable someone will get killed down there. I think it will take that before the council takes any notice. Our arguments are falling on deaf ears."

Mr Parsall contacted several local councils last year and organised a petition in the hope that someone would help.

Pressure from Great Burstead Parish Council eventually forced Essex County Council to move improvements to Noak Hill Road to the top of its priority list.

It carried out a survey which found the street's average 15 accidents a year was well above the norm. Officers promised to take action when funds became available - but 18 months on the situation remains the same.

A county council spokesman said: "We are concerned about excess speed on this road and have been working with Basildon Council to rationalise speed limits.

"We have also recently launched a partnership with Essex Police for a joint mobile speed enforcement strategy. Councils will be able to determine locations for the use of mobile cameras through consultation with local people.

"The versatility of this mobile enforcement will make it possible to address local concerns about problems with speeding traffic."

Crash scene - the latest in a series of accidents at Noak Hill Road.

Picture: MIKE MINERS

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