A TWO-YEAR campaign to slow down traffic at an accident hotspot has won a partial victory.

Marguerite Haddrell, of Layer Road, Colchester, started a petition in April 2014 for the speed limit in Kingsford to be reduced from 50mph to 30mph.

The stretch of road links Colchester and Layer-de-la-Haye.

With the backing of county councillor Kevin Bentley and borough councillor for Shrub End Lyn Barton, a new speed limit of 40mph has been introduced.

Mrs Haddrell, 55, who has been a resident for 10 years, is adamant it still needs to be lowered.

She said: “What annoys me is there’s no consistency in speed limits between the north and south of the borough.

“The Essex Speed Management Strategy says you’re to expect a 40mph speed limit in higher quality suburban roads or on the outskirts of urban areas where there is little development, and there should be just a few vulnerable road users.

“30mph is the standard limit in built-up areas with development on both sides of road, which there is here - we have two stables, a golf club and houses on each side.

“40mph is better than nothing. Essex Council felt it wasn’t possible to place it at that level and we’d even had objections from residents in Layer who complained it would take them longer to get home if the limit was brought down.”

Two drivers crashed into Mrs Haddrell’s front garden, last year and in 2012.

Serious accidents have included a crash at Heckford Bridge and one involving a car, cyclist and tractor, in 2013.

Lyn Barton is enthusiastic about the result.

She said: “This has been a long campaign, from organising a petition for speed checks to working with the council to get a speed reduction.

“During the campaign period more accidents happened at the bridge, which was frustrating for myself and residents, so I’m delighted the new 40mph signage is now in place.”

A spokesman for Essex County COuncil said: “This road has a 50mph limit due to the good level of visibility of the surrounding area, but after listening to residents’ concerns, part of it is to be reduced to 40mph.

“To maintain free flowing traffic, we do not feel a 30mph limit is appropriate.”