New speed bumps are not too big, says highways

Speed bumps that a councillor complains are too high and are "scraping" vehicles will not be fixed, highways bosses have said.

Essex Highways had said work to adjust the series of humps in Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, and a discrepancy of 2cm (0.8in), were scheduled for April.

But after a reinspection, the Conservative-run highways authority said there was "no intent to alter" as they met the "standard height".

"They're clearly too high," local Labour councillor Tim Young said.

"People who approach them a bit too quickly are scraping the underneath of their vehicle."

Drivers were having to "crawl to almost a halt to get over them" to avoid damaging their vehicles, he continued.

He said he would "get on to" the councillor responsible for highways and that the bumps had already damaged some vehicles.

The speed cushions had replaced a previous set which had been in place for several years near a primary and secondary school, explained Young.

Essex Highways said engineers visited the road last month to "inspect and accurately measure" the bumps.

"The cushions were recorded as being to the design height of 75mm (3in), which is a standard height within the UK for this type of speed calming measure," a spokesperson said.

"They have been positioned to help reduce speed for the adjacent school entrance.

"As a consequence, there is no intent to alter the current height, although we will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the speed cushions at this location, as we do with all new installations of this nature."

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