TORY councillors are calling for traffic calming measures in Stanford-le-Hope after two people were taken to hospital following a head-on crash.

Councillors Phil Anderson, Pauline Tolson and James Halden have joined forces and plan to send out questionnaires to residents asking what they think about the idea.

A 52-year-old man from Stanford-le-Hope and another were taken to Basildon Hospital following the crash in Southend Road on Monday morning.

Cllr Anderson, ward member for Stanford East and Corringham Town, said: “When I am using the road with my two daughters you sometimes feel like you are taking your life in your own hands.

“I use the road a lot and even though my daughters are in their teens, I still want to hold their hands when crossing it.”

Police were called after a green Toyota Corolla and a green Ford KA collided – the road had to be closed while debris were cleared.

Joy Hale, a spokesman for the ambulance service, said there had been six accidents on the road in the past 12 months.

Cllr Anderson added: “Good safety management is not just about waiting for accidents to happen, it also involves being pro-active and dealing with risks before they lead to tragedy.

“Our hope is that by collecting this evidence, we can show that road safety improvements are justified and necessary.”

Labour’s cabinet member for transport, Cllr Yash Gupta added: “If residents want traffic calming measures then we will be very sympathetic.

“The council is doing a count on the number of accidents in the borough and I was told just last week that accidents had decreased by about 20 per cent in the last year.

“I will be pleased to try to help the residents of Southend Road and calming measures are something the council can look into.”

Any information on the accident to Laindon Road Policing Unit on 0300 3334444.