A BUSY junction separating a church and its car park has been labelled a ‘death trap’ by residents trying to cross the road.

Campaigners are urging for a crossing to be added near to St Mary’s Church, in Runwell Road, Runwell where people wishing to use the church try to cross the busy road from its car park near to its junction with Church End Lane.

Calls for a crossing go back as far as 1987, when a petition did the rounds with residents seeking a solution to the dangerous section of road.

It has since seen three lorries overturn, two crashes go through the fence and church hall car park and one death.

James Chapman, 72, of Alderney Gardens, in Wickford, has been coming churchyard several times-a-week for four years to place flowers on his late wife’s grave.

Mr Chapman, who uses a walking stick, says he should not have to be take a chance on his safety in order to get across the road.

He said: “It’s so dangerous, and people are really risking their lives getting across the road.

“There should be a crossing there, I just don’t understand why nothing has been done.

“The guy who cuts the grass has difficult job getting across as he has to take his lawn mower with him.”

Father Jo Delfgou, from St Mary’s Church, says the section of road has seen serious accidents over the years, and that he has to stop traffic to help his congregations, as well as parties of weddings, christenings and funerals across.

He said: “We have worked out there are about 7,000 crossings each year, and we mainly have problems trying to get larger gatherings across, such as weddings, christenings and funerals.

“We have also noticed there aren’t as many elderly folk who are able to come to the church on a Sunday, because the road is still busy with people going shopping.

“Of course once they cross the road, they have everything they need at the church. We really hope something can be done about it, Runwell Parish Council has done a lot of work to try and push something forward and have been very helpful.

The alternative for residents would see them walking 500 yards to a crossing further down Runwell Road, and then doubling back to the church.

David Harrison, Wickford Independents Councillor for Wickford Park, believes issues may arise from the fact the junction is unsighted.

He said: “It is a very busy junction and whilst I can understand the need for a crossing, it’s unsighted for people travelling from Chelmsford, so you can’t put a crossing there.

“I have heard of people walking towards the allotments and away from town, in order to cross over.”

An Essex Highways spokesman said: “Concerned local residents should raise this issue with their local Essex County Councillor so that it can be considered for action by the Basildon Local Highways Panel.”