RESIDENTS in Bulphan have called for changes in the road layout at a notorious junction in the wake of the latest crash on the A128 this week which claimed the life of a man from West Tilbury.

He died on Monday (28 December) after a collision involving another vehicle where the old Brentwood Road meets the A128 close to the Ye Olde Plough House hotel.

Villagers say the junction is the scene of many a near miss and more than a few not fatal collision in recent times. Part of the problem, they say, is HGVs parking up close to the junction and restricting vision.

Residents have called for Thurrock Council, the police or Highways England to look at the configuration of the junction and try and find a way of making it safer.

One resident summed up concerns, saying: "The whole stretch of road and pathway needs a comprehensive review otherwise we will have more accidents like Monday's. The current provision is unsuitable for today's volume of traffic.

"This is a junction that my family use on a daily basis. It is unique as this is the only sizeable residential section between the A127/A13 that has no other exit or access other than from the A128.

"Ninety per cent of the time it is necessary to sit on the central reservation with cars whizzing past on both sides. Even when the bend of the road from West Horndon is totally clear it is not unusual on straightening up to find a speeding vehicle on your rear bumper.

"Like most motorists I abhor cameras but perhaps it is a necessary evil on this stretch of road.

"One thing that could be done is to stop lorries parking on the hatching which blocks the view when trying to cross the A128."

Another resident has spoke of her personal loss of a partner in a road accident and says that proved the motivating force in her contacting Thurrock Council to look at the junction in the past, but she says they were dismissive of any changes.

She said: "I suggested all residential lit sections should be reduced to 40mph to allow residents to safely exit the side streets. I also suggested safe central reservation areas were necessary to allow cars to safely wait to join the opposite carriageway.

"I strongly feel that residents living on the opposite outer roads should have a safer crossing to reach the village, especially now we have a village shop. Children need to cross the A128 for school buses, to visit the park and of course the shop. The increase in houses this side has increased footfall - we shouldn't have to drive to feel safe to use our village shop!

"The council said speed reductions/restrictions are down to the police.

"The A128 is not the road it was 30 years ago. It is extremely busy during rush hours and the introduction of the SatNav has drivers using our village as a rat run to by-pass problems on the A13 and A127.

"The council suggest we have more traffic at the moment due to the current widening of the A13. Maybe, but the A128 is driven by many as if it's a dual carriageway, which of course it isn't.

"The state of it is appalling. The signs are dirty and one of the islands hasn't had lights for goodness knows how long.

"If we want to see changes we need to join as a village and speak as one."

Other residents have also called for improved lighting along a longer stretch of the road and there is much unity that more provision and proper needs to be made in the area to stop lorries laying up by the side of the road on verges and junctions while drivers take their breaks.

The reluctance of Thurrock Council to get involved has also seen fingers pointed at local councillors.

One resident says inaction is exemplified by the council not fulfilling promises, saying: "In February it will be two years since Cllr Barry Johnson came to the lane to have a meeting with residents and told us something was being sorted out!"

But nothing has happened, which seems to be the main concern or residents who are now being asked by the local community forum to show a united voice and keep highlighting their concerns to the appropriate authorities.