RESIDENTS, councillors and Thurrock's MP came together to call for improvements to a busy junction they have branded an accident blackspot.

For years Thurrock Council consistently denied allegations from local people that the junction of Bradleigh Avenue and Connaught Avenue with Lodge Lane is dangerous – despite a litany of crashes and near misses at the site.

In 2018 they finally conceded there might be a problem and made some changes to the junction's configuration – but accidents continue to happen at an alarming rate.

Now MP Jen Craft is leading a push for action at the junction and she has been backed by residents who she brought together today to discuss safety concerns.

At the meeting, Mrs Craft asked what could be done to prevent accidents, with suggestions including barriers, traffic lights, and more speeding checks.

Mrs Craft will now be writing to Thurrock Council to request that the junction be added to their intervention list, so funding can be made available for improvements as soon as possible.

The local MP also emphasises that residents should continue reporting any issues at the junction, to ensure the council is aware of the scale of the issue.

MP Jen Craft met with residents to consider problems at the Bradleigh Avenue junction.

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She was joined at the meeting by local Cllr Amin Hoque, and the portfolio holder for Transport and Highways, Cllr Alan Benson.

Mrs Craft said: "It's unacceptable that residents feel unsafe using this junction, due to the numerous accidents that have happened here.

"There is clearly an issue, and it's time for the council to tackle it head on by making the improvements needed to reassure drivers.

"Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak to me. I'll be using your feedback to push for urgent intervention."