A TWOyearold boy was taken to hospital suffering from minor head injuries after two cars collided at a notorious accident blackspot in Chigwell.

He and a sibling were passengers in their mum's car when the accident occurred at around 9.15am on Mondya, January 12 in Fencepiece Road, near the Tudor Close junction. The toddler was the only occupant injured in the smash. He was taken to King George Hospital by ambulance where he was examined and later released.

The accident was the latest in a series of crashes in Fencepiece Road, some of which have claimed lives. Epping Forest Council vice-chairman David Bateman, who lives nearby, has been campaigning for improved road safety measures on the route for ten years.

At present there is not one pedestrian crossing or speed camera in the area despite there being two schools and an old people's home nearby.

Mr Bateman says the location is a notorious blackspot where road safety is further hampered by access to a footpath leading to the Limes Farm estate at the boundary with Redbridge.

He said: "This is the fourth serious accident at this spot. We've seen a young man in a sports car killed and in September 1994 a taxi driver also died when he tried to avoid a pedestrian emerging from the walkway. Then we had a young boy who was knocked down and very seriously injured before being airlifted to hospital.

"I'm only talking about fatalities and personal injury accidents, not what I term plastic and metal accidents, as these are too numerous to recall."

Mr Bateman believes a crossing is urgently needed near the scene of the accident as there is a bus stop where the road narrows which increases the danger for pedestrians.

He said: "If we had a crossing, drivers would be aware. It defeats me to understand why a lay-by to accommodate this bus stop can't be created at this point. It would be much safer if Redbridge Council and Essex County Council combined to take this matter in hand."