AVERAGE speed cameras are planned for either side of Colchester on the A12, it has been revealed.

The Highways Agency is looking into installing the first permanent average speed cameras in north Essex.

The planned locations are on accident hotspots between the Kelvdeon South and Kelvedon North junctions, and on the stretch from Dedham to Stratford St Mary.

Signs will also be improved at Lexden ’s Spring Lane junction and on the A12 bends near Dedham.

Adam Pipe, casualty reduction manager for Essex, said he welcomed the cameras and wanted to be involved in discussions about the precise locations.

He said: “Without doubt, the cameras on the A127 in south Essex have been of benefit in reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on the road and reducing collisions of all severity.

“We want to work with the Highways Agency to decide on specific locations, if that is what they decide to do.”

He said the A12 had already seen massive amounts of investment , but this has not been matched by driver behaviour.

He said: “If people took more care with how they drive, there would be less problems on the A12.”

Hopes for a three-lane carriageway, motorway status and a hard shoulder along the length of the road have been dismissed due to a lack of funds for improvements to infrastructure.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: “We will develop the plans as and when funding becomes available.

“Safety is our top priority and we continually monitor safety on our roads.

“Where there is a pattern of collisions occurring at any one location, we investigate the nature and cause to identify if an improvement could be implemented.”

Last week emergency crews were called to five accidents on the A12 between Kelvedon and Dedham.