FRUSTRATED residents have won a victory after it was decided engineers will be sent to assess a roundabout labelled dangerous.

Residents in Kensington Road, Colchester, said they had to take their lives in their hands to use the roundabout where it joins Goojerat Road, as speeding drivers cut them up and race to get across.

The residents said signs and markings were not clear enough for drivers to notice.

They have been campaigning for change for two years and this week put up their own signs in a last-ditch effort to get Essex County Council to act.

Now the council has said it will be assessing the roundabout for any changes which need to be made.

Shaun Fox, 44, of Kensington Road, welcomed the decision.

He said: “Every night I run the risk of a collision.

“Two nights ago, I was turning right at the roundabout when a vehicle approaching the roundabout from Abbey Fields, drove straight across in front of me.

“I am sure if I hadn’t stopped on the roundabout when I did, I would have been hit.”

Residents want the white Give Way lines on Kensington Road moved closer to the roundabout so they can see around the bend. They also want larger signs.

Jo McRae, 62, of Kensington Road, said: “The signs are not good.

“Coming from Butt Road the roundabout sign is almost obscured, plus there is a lampt post in front of it.

“I’m certain, if nothing is done, there will be a fatal accident.

I don’t want to be saying ‘We told you’.”

Derek Walker, 38, of Kensington Road, collided with another car at the roundabout last year, but luckily was not injured.

He said: “It was approaching from Abbey Fields and I was coming from the Butt Road junction.

“Almost every day I hear cars hoot horns at the junction and I fear someone is seriously going to get hurt.”

Dell Zhang, 38, of Kensington Road, said: “Our concern here is the poor visibility and confusing layout.

“The lack of clear warning signs at that mini-roundabout have significantly increased the risk of car accidents and impaired our road safety.”

Lyn Barton, ward councillor for Shrub End, has been campaigning with the residents and said she would continue to watch the situation closely.

An Essex Highways spokesman said: “We appreciate the concerns of residents in Goojerat Road and Kensington Road.

“We have sent an engineer to investigate and will consider reviewing the current signage and road markings based on this investigation.”