Traffic calming chicanes in Upminster believed to be the cause of more collisions than before as another crash takes place.

Residents living near the ‘traffic calming’ chicanes on Ockendon Road as it meets Clay Tye Road, have hit out following another accident. This week, saw the fourth collision in a month take place at the chicanes which involved a car speeding through causing an ambulance to brake heavily and the vehicle behind then smash into the back of the ambulance.

Residents who live nearby the chicanes have hit out in anger stating that there weren’t as many collisions previously and it is since the traffic calming measures have been installed ironically, that the collisions have increased.

Karen who lives on Church Road and can see the chicanes from her front window, told the Havering Daily: “There wasn’t a problem here before, now these chicanes attract idiot drivers and we have seen three incidents already this month and now this one.

“The council seem to be burying their heads in the sand, but we need to highlight this issue now. Yesterday’s accident could have been a lot worse, it could have been horrendous. The ambulance had to slam its brakes on and we landed up with three vehicles all facing the wrong direction.

“These chicanes have created a chicken run, people approach them at 40-50 mph and try and just slip through them and cause accidents. The driving is often erratic and dangerous. They really are a disaster waiting to happen.”

The traffic calming measures were installed in 2018 and Karen states most of the residents living near them were opposed to them.

“In November this year a car went out of control navigating a chicane and ploughed through the front gates of Blackbird Cottage, thankfully no one was hurt.

“On December 8, a car went up the chicane and spun out of control hitting a grey van. The driver stated that she did not see the chicane until the last minute. The list goes on with driver stating that they don’t see the signage and don’t slow down.

“I don’t think anyone here want these measures installed.

“We are hoping the council will listen to us and now and not wait until something really awful happens.”

Councillor Oscar Ford Upminster Ward Councillor told the Havering Daily:

“A decision to introduce traffic calming measures to the built section of Ockendon Road was taken in 2018. This followed a local consultation exercise and was in response to concerns about, and evidence of, regular speeding at the locality. The speed limit was reduced to 30mph, and chicanes were introduced to the North and South entrances to the residential area. 

“Since their introduction, a number of traffic incidents have occurred at the North chicane. Most, if not all of these incidents will be down to poor driving, with vehicles tailgating the ones in front rather than waiting to see if the route ahead is clear. 

“Upminster Councillors are in communication with the Council’s Highways department regarding this location. It is one of a number of priority locations under review. Any resolution is likely to take some time given the Council’s financial constraints, but this does not mean that the issue is being ignored. Councillors will keep the local residents informed of progress on this matter.”

The accident earlier this week at the Upminster chicane.

The accident in November this year that saw a vehicle smash through the front of a nearby cottage.