I reported to Southend Council the large amount of debris, stones, glass and grit on many roundabouts and at road junctions.

This causes accidents, vehicles to skid and, when accumulated in patches, is caught in tyres and catapulted at high speed into windscreens and people.

Nearly three months later, the debris is still evident.

Excellent work is being done by other organisations in reducing and preventing road accidents, including Essex Police, with their superb Bike Safe scheme, the Highways Agency and many others.

Motorcyclists make up 1 per cent of road users, 18 per cent of fatalities, and 17 per cent of serious injuries. One in five of these accidents happens at roundabouts and road junctions.

Nationally, it costs about £1.5million per fatality, so it pays to keep these high risk road surfaces clean and safe. It may save lives.

Southend Council is letting every one down. More diligence is needed in recognising the scale of the problem and that road cleanliness is vital for safety.

The council must improve its method of managing and reducing this hazard. It is well paid to maintain road cleanliness to an acceptable standard, not to put road users at risk.

David Shindler
George Street
Shoebury