A436 deaths and road safety fears spark calls to cut speed limit
Over 100 people are calling for the change
More than 100 people are calling for speed reduction on a busy A road in the Cotswolds amid safety fears after the death of two motorists along that stretch this year.
Nearby residents are concerned about accidents on the A436 which links Bourton-on-the-Water with the A40 at Andoversford.
County Councillor Paul Hodgkinson (LD, Bourton-on-the-Water and Northleach) presented a petition calling for the speed limit to be reduced at last month’s full council meeting at Shire Hall.
“It’s the main road which is frequently used by tourists, in particular between Bourton-on-the-Water and Andoversford,” Cllr Hodgkinson told the Gloucestershire County Council meeting on November 12.
“It’s the road where famously all the trees fell last December in that terrible storm.
“The issue for residents is there have been a series of accidents historically on that road and this year.
“And very sadly one person lost their lives. So this petition calls for the speed limit to be reduced on the A436 and to have enhanced road safety measures.
“The speed limit at the moment is 60mph or 50mph. The demand from residents is to cut that speed limit and improve road safety.”
He presented the petition to sustainable transport and strategic highways cabinet member Roger Whyborn (LD, Benhall and Up Hatherley).
Cllr Whyborn said he is very concerned about the fatalities on the A436 and a speed limit reduction along the road will be considered.
“What exactly is done and where it is applied will need a proper evaluation,” he said.
“We would not rule out lowering the limit over the whole road.”
There have been two deaths along the A436 this year.
A woman died in a two vehicle collision between Andoversford and Bourton-on-the-Water in May while a man died after the car left the road and hit a tree near Hawling in October.
Last year, a stretch of the A436 had to be closed after some 30 trees were blown over during Storm Darragh.