A leading Essex politician has called for more “average speed checks” on motorists after claims lives will be at risk if councils scrap traditional speed cameras.

A report released by the motoring organisation, The AA, has said recent camera switch-offs have alarmed residents leaving a “road safety policy void”.

The AA has written to Transport Secretary Philip Hammond about the matter and is due to meet ministers.

Since coming to power the new Government has pledged that local authorities are best placed to decide how to make their roads safer. But concerns have been raised about what will happen if counties such as Essex follow the example of the Thames Valley safer roads partnership which announced camera operations will be scrapped following a cut in funding.

The AA said the effects of the Thames Valley switch-off in Oxfordshire were already being experienced by residents. The group’s president Edmund King said: “There is currently a road safety policy void which could lead to an increase in crashes.

“Locally, decisions are being made based on harsh financial reality, coupled with perceptions of what the government’s longer-term intentions might be.

“Local people are more concerned about the ‘battle to save lives’ on local roads that could become race tracks rather than any ‘war on the motorist’.

“Cameras will never be loved but their use is accepted by the majority of motorists.