ROAD campaigners are celebrating the end of a three-year fight for speed restrictions on a village road.

Residents and councillors have been calling for lower limits on Cox’s Hill, in Lawford, but were initially told the road did not meet the criteria.

Complaints included safety fears for children crossing at the top of the road and commuters walking to the station and cars travelling at up to 80mph.

In March, 2012, Essex County Council highways’ bosses made a U-turn and agreed to extend the 30mph limit to the entrance of Lawford Place.

But the scheme ground to a halt after just one person objected – prompting a 21-month delay.

Now, it has been revealed the work will go ahead within the next fewmonths.

Speaking at Lawford Parish Council Carlo Guglielmi, parish and county councillor, said: “It gives me enormous pleasure to announce a decision was made to implement a 30mph speed limit on Cox’s Hill.

“After careful consideration of the objection, highways has agreed to implement the proposed scheme in its entirety in this financial year.” Alan Coley, council chairman, said: “I’m quite excited that after all this time we are going to get something done.

“We are looking forward to the road being safer for pedestrians.”

The speed limit will be reduced from the current 60mph to 30mph for 280 metres near the top of the hill, with its junction with Long Road.