CAMPAIGNERS say they had already raised concerns about a blackspot close to where a cyclist died in a hit-and-run collision.

A man was riding his bike along Harwich Road, in Great Bromley, when was he was struck by a car just after 8pm on Saturday.

The motorist made off from the scene, but police later arrested a 71-year-old man on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, as well as failing to stop at the scene of a crash.

He has now been released while investigations take place.

Campaigners have been calling for the speed limit on Harwich Road to be cut to 30mph.

Ward councillor Fred Nicholls said: “I was in the Court House pub nearby when the accident happened. Someone came in and told us there had been a bad accident.

“Along with parish councillors, I have been campaigning for a 30mph limit from Hare Green down to the Court House.

“We have been campaigning for months for action to be taken, but nothing has been done. There had been an increase in speeding, but despite our requests there have been no police speed checks.”

Last November, Mr Nicholls called on the police to take action to prevent fatalities on roads across Tendring after claiming there had been an increase in speeding in the Great Bromley area due to a lack of police enforcement.

Mr Nicholls said speeding in rural areas was one of the most talked about issues at parish councils.

His motion at Tendring Council called on the police to provide more officers for speed enforcement checks and to provide Speed Watch training to town and parish councils.

“Of course it is still too early to say whether speed was an issue in this tragic incident, but in general it seems people are not taking any notice of the road conditions and the speed limit,” he said.

“We are still petitioning the local Essex County Council highways panel for a double roundabout outside the Court House, where there are accidents every other week,” he said.

“I spoke to the police officer there on Saturday night and he couldn’t believe it is not a 30mph stretch along there.

“Where the accident happened would be outside where the speed limit would be, but people are driving along there with little regard to state of the road.”

Witnesses or anyone with information should call the serious collision investigation unit on 01245 240590.