Three people, including two children, were taken to hospital as a precaution after a crash at a known Wiltshire road danger spot.
The two-car crash yesterday, September 10, happened at the A361 Caen Hill near Devizes which is due for safety improvements by Wiltshire Council.
The crash closed the road in both directions at the Poulshot turning, resulting in “gridlock” through Rowde by diverted cars.
Some expressed concern online about the safety of the road stretch. One said: “Vehicles speed down Caen hill in an attempt to overtake.
AS IT HAPPENED: A361 closed near Devizes both ways due to crash
“They make it difficult for traffic to exit from Whistley especially anyone turning towards Rowde and for anyone joining from Poulshot.”
Another said the road has been raised several times after similar incidents, adding: “There is an inherent sightline problem with the turn out of Poulshot which can cause you to not see cars coming down the hill as they can be 'hidden' behind a car in the 'slow lane'.”
Wiltshire Council announced on July 15, 2024 a £2 million boost to road safety schemes. As well as the Black Dogs crossroads, this included Caen Hill.
Councillor Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Highways, said at the time: “The rest of the funding will be spent on pedestrian crossings and other road safety improvements around the county, including in Winsley near Hartley Farm and at Caen Hill in Devizes.
“The work will take place during 2024 and 2025.”
One woman claiming to be the mother of one of the driver said the driver her and her two children are well apart from bruising to the driver and one child, while another child was uhurt.
She said the incident happened when a car coming from Poulshot pulled out in front of the car on the A361.
READ MORE: More needs to be done to address crashes on A361 Devizes
A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: “We responded to a road traffic collision involving two vehicles on Caen Hill, Devizes around 3.30pm yesterday (09/09).
“Three people, including two children were taken to hospital as a precaution.
“The road was closed for three hours while the vehicles were recovered and the area made safe.”
A South Western Ambulance spokesperson said: “We were called at 15:32hrs on Monday 9 September to a road traffic collision near Devizes.
“We sent a double-crewed land ambulance and an operations officer to the scene and conveyed one patient by land ambulance to Royal United Hospital.”
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