Six months ago the Gazette launched a campaign to get safety measures introduced on the A4 between Chippenham and Calne following the tragic death of 60-year-old Geoffrey Smith.

The Gazette decided it was time to act and persuade Wiltshire County Council highway authority that something must be done.

The A4 is one of north Wiltshire's busiest roads and over the years the number of accidents has increased.

More businesses have appeared by the roadside. In addition to the existing pub there are two garages and offices, as well as housing.

As the number of cars and hidden entrances has escalated, not surprisingly the number of accidents has increased.

Initially the Gazette spoke to residents who live on the A4 and asked them what they felt the problem was. They all agreed that better signage, double white lines and a reduction of the speed limit would help to prevent accidents.

Chippenham Town Councillor Bill Douglas swiftly joined the campaign having experienced the carnage on the road first hand.

Coun Douglas, who works at the former Murco garage, said the road had never-ending problems.

"The people who live and work along here called it death row.

"I have had to help people into the garage and call their family because they are badly injured.

"We are really in the front line here. One woman had to be airlifted by helicopter and at that time we didn't know if she was going to live or die. It was pretty horrific."

In October a petition was launched with the backing of Chippenham and Calne Mayors Desna Allen and Tony Trotman.

In late October highways boss Alan Feist said A4 safety would be looked at but he could not give any guarantees.

But the Gazette refused to let it lie and continued to collect hundreds of signatures from local residents. And local notaries were also keen to show their support.

Following months of hard work the Gazette campaign team, including Coun Douglas, Coun Allen and Coun Trotman, handed our bulging A4 petition with more than 3,000 signatures to the council's regulatory committee in December for review in March.

In the interim period accidents ceased on the road whilst private road works were carried out. Just one week after the road works were removed another collision occurred near the Saab Garage.

Following the deciding regulatory meeting this week councillors voted to go ahead with improvements following an investigation by road safety officers.