How can further serious crashes be prevented around West Norfolk? Councillors and MP make their suggestions
Calls for change have been made by councillors after several serious crashes - resulting in three deaths - in the past week. Some have suggested lowering the speed limit on stretches of road even further, while others believe improved public transport will reduce the chance of crashes. In a short period of time, serious collisions occurred on three of West Norfolk's busiest roads - the A10, the A17 and the A47.
Police have launched several appeals following the crashes, which have left some involved in serious conditions, as well as resulting in fatalities.
The most recent crash took place on the A17 on Monday, where two people had to be pulled from a car on the main road at St Clement.[1] The A10 was closed in West Winch last Tuesday following a collision between a grey Ford Ranger and a white BMW 320i[2] near St Mary's Church.
A man in his 60s was rushed to hospital in a serious condition. The following day, the A47 was closed off in both directions following a crash involving a white Vauxhall Movano van and orange DAF truck.[3]
The van driver was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, but has since died.
Last Thursday, the A17 was closed following a crash that killed a man and a woman.[4]
Picture: West Norfolk Council
The crash took place on the stretch of road between Clenchwarton and Tilney All Saints. A Mercedes-Benz GLC 220 Sport Premium collided with a white Volvo HGV. The driver of the Mercedes, a man, and the passenger, a woman, died at the scene.
But what should be done to make our roads safer?
Last year, speed reductions were implemented on the A47, with key changes made to stretches of road at North Runcton and Middleton. The crash on the A47 in East Winch took place last week in a 40mph zone. A spokesperson from East Winch Parish Council said that the stretch of road could have its speed limit reduced even further.
They said: "We have been trying to get the speed limit down further.
"The accident happened on a 40mph stretch of road. It could get lowered even more." West Norfolk deputy mayor Steve Bearshaw, who represents the Clenchwarton and Tilney All Saints area, believes improved public transport would ease the pressure on main roads, therefore preventing as many collisions.
Cllr Bearshaw is also chair of the borough council's transport working group, and believes potential plans for a train station for South Lynn would alleviate traffic.
"We need to get more cars off the roads," he said. "Recently, we put forward the option of a new train station in the south of Lynn. "The majority of people from the new housing development coming to West Winch could use that station and get to the centre of Lynn instead of driving to Lynn and parking.
"Traffic on the A10 can cause frustration and more silly overtaking."
Cllr Bearshaw added that the new West Winch access road could take up to 100,000 HGVs off the A10 per year. Cllr Alexandra Kemp, who represents the South and West Lynn ward, was in agreement that building the access road should be a priority. She said: "I think now we have the GBP94million for the bypass to take traffic off the A10, we need to get on and build the road as quickly as possible.
"It would be much safer for people who use the roads as well as people walking and cycling in the area.
It would be a much safer environment for everybody. "With all the accidents occurring, something needs to be done. Diverting traffic away from the A10 is my main concern.
"Our roads have been neglected for many years." Cllr Kemp added that she believes the reopening of the West Lynn ferry would alleviate traffic on the A17 and A47.
"The ferry needs to be opened as soon as possible, even with a larger boat," she added. "As councillors, our voices will always be heard for the people of West Norfolk."
North West Norfolk MP James Wild suggested that National Highways and West Norfolk Council should work together to review safety measures on roads.
He said: "My thoughts are with the family and friends of those who tragically lost their lives and those seriously injured in recent crashes.
"It is important that anyone with relevant information assists the police as they investigate the causes of these crashes.
"Then National Highways and local councils should work together with them to review whether further safety measures are required on our roads."
References
- ^ car on the main road at St Clement. (www.lynnnews.co.uk)
- ^ grey Ford Ranger and a white BMW 320i (www.lynnnews.co.uk)
- ^ white Vauxhall Movano van and orange DAF truck. (www.lynnnews.co.uk)
- ^ A17 was closed following a crash that killed a man and a woman. (www.lynnnews.co.uk)