No speed limits for village despite teenager death

People living in an Essex village have said they are frustrated that no speed reducing measures have been introduced despite a teenager's death.

There has been a campaign to introduce a 20mph zone (32km/h) and average speed cameras in Stock since Freddie Coleman was hit by a car in November last year.

The 15-year-old's family recently described the speeding through the village as "very scary".

Essex County Council said it had investigated whether measures should be brought in but could not release details until a full coroner's inquest or court proceedings took place.

Freddie's friend was also seriously injured in the incident, which happened at 08:20 GMT on 3 November while the pair were on their way to school.

A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs, but was released under investigation.

Essex Police says inquiries are continuing.

Last year, Freddie's family paid tribute to him saying he "was loved by everyone".

Stock Parish Council has now set up a community speed watch group, where volunteers use speed guns to identify passing vehicles.

Since March, 335 people had been detected speeding in the village and issued with warnings.

One person was driving at 51mph (82 km/h) in the 30-zone as children were heading to school, the council said.

The council requested a number of road safety measures be introduced - including average speed cameras and reduced speed limits - but none of have been granted so far.

A spokesperson for Essex County Council, which manages local highways, said: "We are not able to release details about fatal collision investigations until a full coroner’s inquest or court proceedings have taken place.

"If we identify a clear pattern of collisions during investigations, remedial measures will be put forward for design and funding.

"Any maintenance issues identified would also be addressed soon after the collision."

Data from the county council shows there have been four collisions in Stock Road in the centre of the village - in the area covered by the 30mph zone - in the three years ending 31 August 2024.

Two were categorised as "slight", one of them as serious and the fourth - which killed Freddie - was fatal.

Rob Pritchard from Stock Parish Council said "sadness had swept the village" 12 months on.

"It seems that action is only taken after a tragedy - but here we have had that tragic event and, a year on, the road is in exactly the same situation as it was before," he said.

"There is a real concern that something could happen again, that we could lose somebody else and that would be another family left to grieve."

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