Eleanor Laing MP has joined calls to reinstate lighting at a junction where cars have recently crashed into houses.

Two properties in Lower Park Road in Loughton were hit by cars on February 23 and March 3.

A petition was started by residents demanding traffic calming measures be immediately implemented.

Essex County Council agreed to update road markings and replace signage, but stressed that these were not to blame for the crashes.

No decisions have been made on whether street lights will remain on overnight.

They are currently turned off as part of a county-wide scheme to save money. 

Eleanor Laing believes the area should be treated as a special case.

In a letter to Cllr Rodney Bass, who is behind the £1.5m cost cutting scheme, she said there were ‘exceptional’ circumstances.

She said: “The junction in question clearly requires to be lit. I appreciate the difficulties we are all facing as regard to the cost of street lights and I fully understand why Essex County Council has decided to limit the times when street lights are on.

“This, however, is an exceptional set of circumstances. There is a clear case for twenty four hour lighting for the five street lights which directly affect this dangerous junction.

“I hope that you will, at the very least, be able to immediately re-instate twenty four hour lighting here as a temporary measure.”

Rodney Bass’s office confirmed that road markings will be “refreshed” and that potholes along the high road junction with Lower Park Road and Upper Park Road will be repaired.

New signage will also be illuminated.

Mrs Laing said that, although lighting and road signage are contributing factors, speed is the biggest problem.

She added: “I am very concerned about the situation.

"I believe that there are many contributing factors, speed being one of them.

“The police report is not out yet so we cannot speculate but in my mind there is no doubt that traffic calming measures are needed."

A home in Southview Road, Loughton, was hit by a car last Friday at 10.20am.

People suffered only minor injuries in the crashes.