People living close to the scene of a fatal road collision have called for safety measures at the accident blackspot.

A 46-year-old woman died in hospital after being hit by a van as she tried to cross Sewardstone Road, on the border between Chingford and Waltham Abbey, at around 5.30pm yesterday.

The driver a 35-year-old man, from Waltham Cross, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and other driving offences.

People living nearby said two motorcycles had an hour later collided on the same stretch of road, where there have been a number of serious accidents in recent years.

Mary Khaivhra is a neighbour of Willowcroft care home, where the dead woman was living and heard the accident.

She said: "I can still hear it.

“I thought it was two cars colliding. My first thought was that no one could possibly survive that.

"I couldn’t get back to sleep last night.

“There have been ten serious accidents in the last ten years, something needs to be done.

"A speed bump would make a huge difference.

“It would ruin the undercarriage of the irresponsible drivers and people would soon know.

John Smith, of the nearby Chapelfield Nursery, said: “People park all along the road, which causes poor visibility.

“The no parking signs just stop on this stretch and it causes serious danger to any pedestrian crossing. The council need to mark the entire road to prevent it.”

Raj Pusparaj, who works in a nearby Texaco petrol station said poor lighting was an issue.

“There are no street lights. At 5.30 am when I come in they are not even on. It is completely dark,” he said.

“They should be on all night and much brighter, it is very dangerous.”

Shaun Outram, who works at a building site on the road, said: “People pulling in or out have to take a chance in this road.

“We need speed cameras. It is not a question of money when people’s lives are at stake.”

The Willowcroft Care home said it was "too soon" to comment following last night’s incident.

Essex County Council has been approached for comment.