Speed limit cut 'not enough' following road deaths

Campaigners say a 10mph reduction in the speed limit on a busy road where two people have recently been killed is not enough.

Last month, Cameron Thomas was killed in a collision with another vehicle on the A4 between Marlborough and Beckhampton, and in November, a 26-year-old man died after a crash between an agricultural vehicle and a car on the same road.

People living nearby say they have called for a lower speed limit since 2018, and remain concerned despite Wiltshire Council's plans to cut the limit through West Kennett from 60mph to 50mph.

Cabinet member Martin Smith said: "Any change to a speed limit must be supported by appropriate data and follow the required assessment process."

As well as lower speed limits in the area, campaigners say they have also asked for better road markings and signs to tell drivers to slow down.

AnnMarie Newbigin, who lives in the village of West Overton, said she suffered neck problems after being involved in a crash on the A4 in 2018.

She said: "I thought I was going to die, I did. I don't think I've ever in my life had a feeling quite like that."

Locals experience speeding drivers frequently, she said, especially near the Avebury stone circle.

She added: "They are always speeding there...There's no sense of 'there's a limit'."

Resident Susie Burch said even with a 10mph reduction, she was still concerned.

"We live just around a bend, we have no footpaths, there is no place to set down, the bus stops outside our house because there is nowhere else for it to stop," she said.

"My concern with going to 50, there just isn't the stopping time or the stopping distance, we've got so many blind bends. We've had too many deaths, too many accidents on this road - 40 would be sensible."

Wiltshire Council said it has carried out an assessment of the speed limit, adding that the police worked with the Highway Authority to identify where changes needed to be made.

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