VILLAGERS in Horndon on the Hill are taking an active role in trying to calm traffic that is diverted through the village because of the closure of the Orsett Cock roundabout and A13 this weekend.

The village has born the brunt of significantly increased traffic throughout the A13 widening project when the A13 has been closed and some residents have been monitoring traffic under the a community traffic safety scheme, backed by Essex Police.

They are able to check the speed of drivers and, though they cannot take any direct action, all those who exceed the limit and are clocked on the speed gun will get a letter from police warning them. And if they get three warnings, then the police will take action against the,

"We are just trying to help keep the village - and the motorists a little safer," said villager Kim Towlson. "We understand that the work has to go ahead and that we will see increased traffic through the village, but that does not give drivers licence to break the law and come speeding through our narrow streets, jeopardising local people's safety.

"By doing this we are hopefully making drivers think about their speed as they cut through the village and in so doing we may be preventing any unfortunate accidents."

The closure of the roundabout this weekend while the old west bridge is demolished has seen significant delays for traffic, with queues backing up as far back as the Manorway roundabout to the east, and North Stifford to the west. The work, closures and diversions will continue until early Monday morning.