New safety measures planned for Essex Road after five deaths in one year
The A414 will see new average speed cameras, signing, and speed restrictions
New safety measures are planned for the A414 to help reduce fatal and serious collisions, after an "unusually high" amount in Essex in the last year.
Five fatal collisions have occurred on the A414 last year and two more so far in 2025.
The new measures include speed restrictions, signing and the introduction of average speed cameras along the road which links Chelmsford and Harlow.
New restrictions will cover 14.5 miles of the road, from the Widford roundabout in Chelmsford to the existing 30mph speed limit east of the junction with the B181 at Tylers Green.
The proposed changes will see sections where the speed limit is currently 60mph reduced to either 50mph or 40mph, depending on the location.
The current 50mph limit would also be reduced to 40mph.
The existing 40mph and 30mph limits would not be affected.
These new speed limits will be enforced by the introduction of average speed cameras, which will be operational in the coming months.
The county council measures are supported by Essex Police and the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP).
The most recent fatal collision on the A414 occurred near Radley Green on Wednesday 16 July and involved a motorcycle and a car.
In a joint statement Councillor Tom Cunningham, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, Mr Adam Pipe, Head of Essex Police’s Roads Policing Unit, and Councillor Lee Scott, Chair of the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) Governance Board, said: “We are deeply saddened by the recent death following a collision on the A414.
“Every death on the Essex road network is a tragedy, and our thoughts are, as always, with their loved ones – their family and friends.
“We are taking steps to reduce the number of fatal and serious collisions on this road by reducing the speed limit and also introducing improved speed enforcement.
"Together, these measures will improve safety for all road users.
“As partners in the Safer Essex Roads Partnership, we are committed to working together to make the A414 a safe road for everyone who travels on it, as we work towards our Vision Zero ambitions to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries.”