Earls Colne villagers hold demos in search for safer roads

Julie Cass, from Earls Colne, helped to organise two demos as part of Road Safety Week.

She was out with fellow villagers on Friday and Saturday, in an effort to help make the roads safer for residents.

She said: “Friday was a bit poor on the ground - Saturday much better.

“The cars going past were really aware of us. A couple shouted abuse, but you get that, at least they noticed.”

Asked why they were staging the demos, Julie said: “It came after we have had a few accidents on the crossings.

“We had a particularly bad one earlier this year with my neighbour, which really spurred me on.

“He was hit on a crossing near the Baptist church and is still in hospital.

“We are asking for the crossings to have more and clearer signage on the paths and roads, whatever it takes for them to be safer.

“In the High Street, the halos were approved but have never been done. I'm not sure why, but they need to be brighter.

“The whole street is dim and it is a really busy crossing. I was on my mobility scooter at the weekend I went to cross over and almost got hit.

“That really shook me. Here we are campaigning, with signs and hi-vis jackets everywhere, and yet they still didn’t see me.

“More drivers need to be aware of their speed. People were going through at 40 or 50mph and it’s crazy.

“Someone is going to die. We have had bad accidents in the past, and we don’t want it to happen again.”

Julie also added how they are planning to do the same in the future.

She said: “We are going to do it again in February.

“But this time the Guides, Brownies and Scouts will have some input too.”