Woman killed in accident on ‘danger’ road (From Cotswold Journal)

Woman killed in accident on ‘danger’ road

10:20am Thursday 26th July 2012 in News By Freya Leng

A BLOCKLEY woman has died following a crash on the A436 – just days after a campaign was launched to tackle speeding along the notorious stretch of road.

The crash happened between Bourton and Andoversford at about 11.45pm on Saturday when a blue Suzuki Vitra collided with a tree.

The 36-year-old driver, who has not yet been named, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Villagers have described their sadness at the news.

Blockley vicar, the Rev Grahame Humphries, said: “I’m sorry to hear of such a tragedy.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the relatives and friends of the lady concerned at this time.”

Only days before the accident, residents along the A436 formed an action group to pressurise the Highways Department and police to take action over drivers who clock up excessive speeds along the road.

Councillor Paul Hodgkinson, Liberal Democrat leader at Cotswold District Council, who chaired the group’s first meeting, said: “It’s a very sad event.

“The accident just brings to the forefront of our minds the issues with that particular stretch of road.

“We’re just calling for urgent action to be taken by the police and highways on the whole stretch of the A436. Potentially that may mean a reduction in the speed limit or other road safety measures that Highways might come forward with. This is an ongoing campaign.”

Peter Hellyar, who lives along the A436 and has taken numerous speed readings along the road, said a top speed had been recorded of 139mph.

“It’s been going on for 20- odd years,” he said.

““We’ve had lots of little bangs which involved vehicles and lots of near misses.

It’s a very dangerous road.”

Police are still investigating the crash which closed the road for six hours while a post mortem is due to be carried out today.

Anyone with any information about the collision should contact Gloucestershire Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 602 of July 21.

• Did you know the woman involved? Tributes can be paid at cotswoldjournal.co.uk or by calling Cotswold Journal reporter Freya Leng on 01905 742383.