Tributes have been left at the scene of the accident where a 39-year-old cyclist Sarah Hayward was knocked over in Box last week, and died later in hospital.

Floral tributes are outside the Platinum Nissan garage where Mrs Hayward, who was the mother of a toddler son, was involved in an accident with a light green Ford Focus, which had overtaken her on the A4 last Wednesday evening. She hit the bonnet and windscreen of the car.

She received serious head injuries in the accident, which happened at 7.20pm and despite paramedics’ efforts she died at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Mrs Hayward had lived with her husband Pete and 23-month-old son Harry on Box Road about a mile from the scene of the accident.

Her sister Sue Mills, of Bristol said: “Sarah was a very outgoing, social person who had a lot of friends. She loved to socialise, always planning parties and picnics.

“She was also a brilliant mum to Harry and wife to Pete, who has tragically been taken away from us suddenly. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us during this time.”

Mrs Hayward was a member of a running club in Bath where she met her husband five years ago.

Box parish councillors have voiced their concerns in the past over safety on the A4 after several ‘near misses.’ This is the first fatal accident in years.

Councillor Jenny Hartless, who is chairman of the parish council highways committee said: “We have been trying to get that stretch of road down to a 30mph speed limit for several years and we managed to get it down to 40 a few years ago from the national speed limit but apparently we do not meet the criteria to get it down to 30. It is not a built-up area and therefore Wiltshire Council cannot lower the limit any further.”

Passers by who stopped at the scene and tried to help Mrs Hayward have voiced their concerns about the time it took emergency services to get to the scene.

Jane Gibson, 51, of Corsham said: “My friends and I had been travelling to Bath when we saw the accident. We got there ten minutes after the accident and it seemed like they took a long time to get there.

“The emergency services do a wonderful job but I think the system needs improving.”

Director of Service Delivery for Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS), Jonathan Lofthouse, said: “We received the 999 call reporting the incident at 7.22pm. Our control room immediately sent an emergency care practitioner (ECP) – a paramedic with extra clinical skills – and a double-crewed ambulance.

“Our ECP arrived at the scene at 7.35pm responding in the quickest and safest time possible. The double-crewed ambulance then arrived at 7.38pm,.

“The staff at the scene all worked together as quickly as possible to treat and transfer the patient to the Royal united Hospital in Bath.

“We are confident that we gave the patient the best care possible in the circumstances.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash.

n A 27-year-old woman was arrested and bailed on Saturday in connection with the accident.