A serious accident is waiting to happen if boy racers continue driving on grass verges just yards from residents' doorsteps, it has been claimed.

Irresponsible drivers are causing trouble at four roads on the Avon Road council estate in West Chelmsford - Derwent, Tyne, Eden and Mersey Ways.

Now fearful residents have put out a help-us call to Chelmsford Council demanding tough action against drivers.

A woman, who has lived for years on the estate but who did not want to be named, said: "It's got so bad that residents are frightened to let children and grandchildren play on the grass in case they are struck by one of these cars."

West Chelmsford Labour Party member Russell Kennedy said: "We've carried out a survey which has highlighted a significant problem of irresponsible motorists using the grass verges and greenswards off Avon Road as thoroughfares.

"We believe it's mostly young lads who seem to go crazy when they get behind a wheel.

"The 1998 Crime and Disorder Act was introduced to help stamp out this sort of mindless and irresponsible behaviour and it's high time the borough council used the powers given to it to do just that."

Labour borough councillor John Devane is to ask council colleagues to back his plea for bollards along the verges of the blackspot roads.

He said: "You can clearly see the tyre marks left by motorists as they cut across grass verges only yards from residents' front doors.

"I fear an accident is just waiting to happen and if one is to be avoided the borough council must act quickly."

Mr Kennedy added: "I sincerely hope it does not come to that but if a wider survey we are carrying out reveals the problem is worse than first thought then the erection of bollards to prevent this type of reckless and dangerous behaviour may not be enough.

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