A DANGEROUS crossing point where a man lost his life is another accident waiting to happen say business owners.

The traffic island opposite Tesco on Epping High Street was the scene of a fatal crash last month when 71-year-old Jim Pritchard from Mott Street, Waltham Abbey died after being hit by a Mercedes Sprinter.

Epping town council is now appealing to Essex County Council to review the whole area to prevent another accident.

Wendy Coopersmith, owner of the Euro Cafe on the high street said: “I cross there but I am fit and able. For people who are older it has it's risks. It's sort of a crossing point but I don't think drivers would see it as that and they don't stop.”

Christine Valks, Branch Manager of Tilebase said: “It's desperately in need of a proper crossing. There are a lot of elderly people in Epping and it takes them longer to get across the road so there really does need to be a proper crossing point there.”

Mike Johnson, owner of West End Furniture witnessed the recent accident which happened just outside his shop.

He said: “I think a crossing would be an excellent idea. I think the problem is that it's not a proper crossing point. You do get an awful lot of the older generation who stand there waiting for motorists to stop but it's not actually a crossing.

"At the other end of town there are two or three sets of crossings but at this end it's an accident waiting to happen. And the recent accident proved that.

"I cross there five or six times a day and it makes you paranoid. Everyone working up and down here is worried.”

Town Clerk Bob Whittome said the area was in desperate need of a review.

He added: “There's a difficulty crossing the Tesco car park entrance and so elderly people tend to cross at the traffic lights and then walk along the road to cross at the island.

"It needs to be properly examined because it would be easy to make things worse rather than better.”