Drivers have been warned of new speed limits across Essex to help crack down on reckless driving, which will last until Autumn in a blow to thousands.

National Highways has introduced 50mph speed limits across sections of the A120 in Essex while it undergoes a range of improvement works.

The improvement project includes the installation of five new speed cameras along a section of the A120 between Marks Farm, Braintree and Marks Tey near Colchester.

As part of the project, certain sections of the A120 will be fitted with lower speeds from 60mph to 50mph between Horsley Cross and Parkeston.

The national speed limit has been reduced on the A-road from 60mph to 50mph

The £2.6million project started this week on Monday and is expected to be completed in Autumn later this year, with work taking place between 9pm and 5am on weeknights.

Due to the popular road being used by roughly 15,000 vehicles daily, including a large proportion of heavy goods vehicles, the closures could impact drivers.

Martin Fellows, regional director for the East at National Highways, said: "Safety is and always will be our number one priority, and that is why our ambition remains that no one should be harmed while travelling or working on our roads.

"This route was chosen based on collision data and local insights, and overall, these changes will aim to make this road safer for all users."

New 50mph limits will be in place while National Highways works to install speed cameras

Starting this week, the full closure of the A120 between Horsley Cross and Parkeston will begin as work on the speed cameras impacts access to the road.

To help drivers adapt to the changes, the agency has put a diversion route in place with the A120 westbound traffic urged to take Parkeston Road toward Harwich.

At the roundabout, drivers should take the second exit onto the B1352 and follow it to rejoin the A120 westbound at Ramsey.

Meanwhile, for A120 eastbound traffic, the agency advised drivers to follow the westbound diversion in the opposite direction.

National Highways added: "Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network."

Drivers have also been warned of closures taking place throughout July and August, which could cause further disruption.

The closures include Horsley Cross Roundabout to Cansey Lane, Cansey Lane to Harwich Road, Harwich Road to Primrose Lane, as well as Primrose Lane to Ramsey Roundabout.

The work in the region aims to cut road traffic collisions, which have spiked in recent years, with National Highways explaining that the lower speed limits could reduce the number of people harmed on local roads.

The work on lower speeds is expected to be finished by Autumn later this year

Fellows stated earlier this year: "Safety is, and will always be, our number one priority, and we understand how important improved safety is to those who use this route as well as those who live nearby."

He explained that the agency has identified sections of the A120 where vital safety improvements can be made with the intention to have new measures in place before the end of the year.

"These changes to the speed limit aim to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions, which helps keep traffic flowing and creates safer roads for everyone," he noted.

According to Department for Transport reports, 17 road casualties occurred on the A120 between Horsley Cross and Harwich in the years 2018 to 2022.