Campaigning Henry Baker is on a mission to spare other families the trauma of losing a loved one at an accident blackspot on the A127.

Mr Baker's 18-year-old son Mark and his two friends, brothers Glen and Gary Dineen, died when the Ford Fiesta they were in left the A127 and ploughed into a pylon near the junction with Rayleigh Downs Road in August 2001.

Since then, Henry has been campaigning for a reduction of the speed limit on that stretch of the road.

He believes it is far too dangerous as drivers have little time to adjust from the 70 mile per hour speed limit to 40 just before going into Southend.

He thinks the speed limit should be brought down to either 40 or 50, or else be reduced gradually to give drivers more time to reduce their speed.

Mr Baker, 45, of Essex Gardens, Leigh, said: "I don't want anybody going through the same thing.

"It affects your life. Drivers take it as an accepted thing that these things happen.

"It's not until it happens to someone in your family that you realise how serious it is.

"I have a young son and a daughter as well. I couldn't help my son five years ago, but I want to make sure my family is safe and that the road is safe for all drivers."

He added: "The distance is just too short for drivers to bring their speed down from 70 right down to 40. There should also be signs reminding drivers to bring down their speed."

Mr Baker has been lobbying Essex County Council and the Department for Transport for a change in speed limit.

He has also managed to get the support of Southend West MP David Amess and Gary Sullivan, chairman of Thames Gateway South Essex.

Mr Baker said: "I can't see any need for a 70 limit there. It's the main access to Southend.

"There have been a number of accidents on that road."

Mr Baker is also in favour of introducing a new drivers' licence scheme that would gradually introduce new responsibilities to young drivers.

At the moment anyone who passes their driving test can drive at night and take passengers in their car.

Mr Baker believes young people should only be given these rights gradually as they build up experience in their car.

He said: "They should have their licence for six months before they are allowed to take passengers under 21 with them, or else they should have an adult driver with them.

"It's the same idea for driving at night.

"That should only happen after they have been driving for a while."

Mr Baker stepped up his campaign after another man died a few weeks ago at the exact same spot as his son.

Lawrence Chirume, 25, of Kursaal Way, Southend, was killed on October 11 on the same stretch of the A127.

MP David Amess, who has been campaigning on behalf of Mr Baker since the death of his son, said: "There is nothing worse than losing your child and to lose your child in these circumstances is awful. I think the most serious thing is that we had another accident in similar circumstances."

Gary Sullivan, chairman of Thames Gateway South Essex, has approached Essex County Council to ask for a reduction in the speed limit on that part of the A127.

He said: "I'm a resident of Rayleigh Downs Road and I have to go on the A127 every day. It's a very dangerous piece of road.

"As you drive from Rayleigh Weir towards Southend there are two small hills and you can't see the traffic that has stopped or slowed down. It makes it extremely dangerous.

"I've spoken to the county council and they have agreed to look into it."

A spokeswoman for Essex County Council said: "The council will possibly look into the idea of a gradually reduced speed limit, leading up to the 40mph limit on the A127 towards Southend.

"To do this, we would need to carry out consultations with Essex Police."