No further police action a year on from road deaths

No further action will be taken against a driver who hit an elderly couple as they walked across a road after attending a Christmas carol service.

Sheila Welsh, 81, and her husband Campbell, 82, died after the collision on the A148 at High Kelling on 22 December 2024.

Norfolk Police said the couple's family had been told of the decision, made after a full investigation had been completed.

Shortly after the collision the couple's granddaughter Izzy Welsh launched a petition appealing for improvements along the road.

Norfolk County Council said work to enlarge the pavements and add road markings had taken place to try to improve safety in the area.

Local resident Brian Shaw said he was frustrated that more measures had not been taken to slow traffic using the road.

He said surveys and reviews of the road were promised after the couple died, but he did not think enough action had been taken.

He said: "It was a huge shock.

"The carol service had just finished, they were coming across the road, and that's when it happened.

"A lot of people on the scene at the time, it was just so tragic.

"Everybody's talking about surveys, everybody's talking about looking at data, nothing really seems to have happened and I understand that things have to take their time but we're now a year on and I can't see any evidence that anything has actually been concluded.

"It's a little bit, I think, kicking the can down the road."

A spokesperson for Norfolk County Council said: "We have undertaken a comprehensive safety review, including extensive surveys to identify opportunities to address the community concerns raised with us through meetings held with the parish councils, county councillor and local MP.

"Some improvements have been delivered in response to these concerns, including footway widening works through the village, additional road markings and supporting the parish council with successful funding bids for further improvements to bus shelters and footpaths."

They added that they would continue to work with the community to address any concerns and consider any recommendations from a coroner's inquest, which is scheduled to be held on 12 May 2026.

Norfolk Police said: "Police have completed a full investigation into the fatal collision and the man arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving will face no further action.

"The family has been updated and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time."

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