A NOTORIOUS accident black spot in north Essex where six people have died in five years could get a new roundabout in a bid to make it safer.

The new minister for roads, Stephen Hammond, said he is committed to improving the Harwich Road and Pellens Corner junctions on the A120 near Great Bromley.

The intervention comes after a series of accidents at the crossing.

Earlier this year, the Highways Agency spent �200,000 on road safety following pressure from local councillors, residents and Harwich and north Essex MP Bernard Jenkin.

But the works have failed to prevent further accidents occurring and campaigners have called for a more permanent solution.

Last night Mr Jenkin said he received a letter from Mr Hammond who has committed to “a more substantive solution” on the A120, with a roundabout being actively pursued by the Highways Agency.

“I am very pleased to have received the Minister’s letter which accepts the need for major improvements at these junctions,” Mr Jenkin said.

“Following the recent Government reshuffle, I immediately wrote to the new Minister for Roads to ensure he was aware of this major issue and to keep it at the top of the Highways Agency’s agenda. The Agency has accepted more needs to be done and that funding must be found for a larger scheme, such as a roundabout.”

The work recently completed by the Highways Agency included reducing a short stretch of dual carriageway between Horsley Cross and Little Bentley to single carriageway.

There was also widening of the central reservations to improve visibility for drivers waiting to cross the carriageway.

Mr Jenkin added: “Local residents, councillors and I have been campaigning for significant improvements to these accident black spots and the unsatisfactory alterations made at the start of the year left a very bitter taste in the mouths of those who have long pressed for a suitable, safer solution.

“A recent meeting I attended with the Highways Agency and Tendring District Council has prompted a reconsideration of the speed limit along this stretch of the A120 and possible alterations to the junction layout to tackle this issue in the short term. Now, with the Minister’s commitment to pursuing an option for a roundabout, our campaign to protect motorists’ lives has taken a big step forward.”