A ROAD safety campaigner has won his battle to improve a dangerous junction.

Alf Papworth, 81, has campaigned to get better signs and lighting where the A127 meets St Michael’s Road, in Daws Heath.

In 2011, Mr Papworth convinced Essex County Council to put illuminated signs on the junction, but the signs could not be seen from the A127.

Now, he has got the council to make more changes to make the signs readable for motorists.

He said: “I’m over the moon and it should be done by the end of the financial year. We are finally getting it sorted out. It’s been a battle, but I don’t give in.”

Mr Papworth persuaded County Hall to reposition the weight restriction sign and to install a reflector plate sign for St Michael’s Road.

The changes will see the weight restriction sign rotated 45 degrees at a cost of about £15,000.

Changes are set to be completed by March 2015.

The junction has been an accident hotspot for years with motorists struggling to see the turning into the narrow country lane at night.

Mr Papworth did force changes to be made in 2011, but they did little to help the situation.

He said: “They put the lights in, but they were solar powered and they were not sufficient or working properly.

“It was a waste of time. You could not see the signs as you came up Southend Road and they were also hidden by trees.

“I was on at highways for years and years.”

Ray Howard, local councillor and chairman of the Castle Point Local Highways Panel, said: “It’s a strategic road and a dangerous road.

“It was brought to our attention that the shrubbery was overgrown and the signs were facing north rather than east.

This issue will now finally be resolved.”

Two cars crashed close to the junction during Thursdaymorning rush hour, causing tailbacks of up to 40 minutes. The crash was not believed to be serious.