CAMPAIGNERS are calling for safety improvements to reduce accidents on a notorious Mile Elm road.
The Mile Elm Speed Stoppers consist of residents of the hamlet near Calne, who are concerned that the A3102 could suffer more fatality incidents similar to one, in March, which resulted in the death of Tracey Rooke, 43, when her Ford Fiesta collided with a lorry.
Former teacher Sharon Wetton, lives on the road, and is part of the group. She said that in the last two years there have been around 20 collisions outside her home.
On the occasion of the March collision she went to the aid of Mrs Rooke, holding her hand until paramedics arrived.
The latest collision happened on at 4.30pm on Tuesday when a green Ford Puma collided with a black Saab convertible.
Police and ambulance crews attended. The 48-year-old woman driving the Saab suffered injuries to her back and was taken to Great Western Hospital in Swindon while the man, in his 20s, driving the Ford suffered minor injuries.
Mrs Wetton, 48, said: “I was in the house at the time of this latest incident and after last time around when I was holding the victim’s hand at the roadside I was frightened to see what would greet me when I opened the door. These two people were very lucky to escape alive.
“In Mile Elm, we sick of seeing these incidents and seeing people suffering. We have joined together to put pressure on the council and the police to make changes to improve safety. Where these incidents are happening it is on a dangerous bend but there are no signs in place warning what is coming.”
Mile Elm Speed Stoppers is appealing to Calne Area board to introduce changes. These include reducing the 50mph speed limit and improving signage. Residents were told after March’s tragedy that the authorities would review the road.
Mrs Wetton said: “The speed limit had previously been reduced down to 50mph but I would like to see it go down further to 30mph.
“Disappointingly, we are about seven houses short of being a village which would qualify us for a 30mph speed limit being introduced.”
A spokesman for Wiltshire Council said: “We’ve investigated where the accident took place and we are awaiting the outcome of the coroner’s inquest into this tragic death and any recommendations they may make on improving road safety.
“We are committed to reducing collisions on our roads, using a number of measures including road safety education initiatives, enforcement and highways engineering and maintenance.”
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