CHELMSFORD MP Simon Burns is backing a 20mph speed limit campaign along a popular but "dangerous" residential cut-through.
The Admirals Park Residents' Association believes impatient motorists are driving along Park Avenue and Swiss Avenue, to bypass the Rainsford Road junction, at speeds of up to 50mph.
The MP, who has written directly to the highways authority Essex County Council, said: "The roads in question are busy, used as a shortcut and are used by children, families, cyclists and the elderly.
"Cyclists are worried about the volume of traffic and have started to use the pavements, which is causing congestion and increases the risk of accidents.
"The local community has put forward a strong and well-supported case for the lowering of the speed limit and I hope that careful consideration will be given to the request which they are making."
The campaign, now nearly a year old, wants the speed limit dropped down to 20mph for about 90 per cent of the school-route stretch.
First, however, the residents will conduct their own speed watch operation to prove their claims and strengthen their case.
The decision would eventually be taken by cabinet member for highways and transportation Rodney Bass.
"These roads are crazy to be honest, it's just reckless," said 40-year-old father-of-three Matt Woodyatt.
"There is excessive speeding, dangerous driving, quite a lot of damage caused to vehicles and only weeks ago we had a car on its side in the middle of the road when he went too fast.
"We've had quite a few accidents. A lady was knocked off from her bike and we've had multiple animal deaths.
"The abuse you have to witness is such to the extent that people are driving at each other."
The group's petition boasts 100 signatures and further backing from Chelmsford City Council members Jude Deakin and Chris Fegan.
Mr Fegan said: "That road has absolutely become a rat run so I think it needs sorting out.
"It's been a cause for a problem for many years and the residents' lives have been made extremely difficult."
Residents on the Chignal estate successfully campaigned for a 20mph speed limit to be introduced in 2008.
