Fatality prompts new call for safety action (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Fatality prompts new call for safety action

12:40pm Saturday 8th August 2009 in News By Chris Harris

VILLAGERS are demanding action after a death at a notorious junction near Winchester.

Owslebury residents are calling for safety improvements at the accident blackspot northeast of the village following a fatal crash last Saturday morning.

Joseph Wolf, of Mitcham, Surrey, died after the red Fiat Doblo he was travelling in collided with a black Land Rover Discovery at Longwood Crossroads.

Paramedics pronounced the 64-year-old dead at the accident scene, which happened around 8.40am at the junction of Belmore Lane and Longwood Road.

The 66-year-old woman driving the Fiat was arrested and questioned on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. She was released on bail until Tuesday, November 10.

Villagers say £75,000 improvements carried out by Hampshire Highways have done little to improve safety at the crossroads.

Instead it’s the speed of vehicles that is the problem, they claim.

“The accident makes me very angry because the highways authority have been told time and time again to sort that crossroads out,” said Nigel White, a partner at Owslebury Garage Recovery.

“For some reason they don’t take it very seriously.

“The speed of the traffic from Corhampton (along Belmore Lane) — 100mph is not uncommon,” the 53-year-old added. “The thing that really scares me is the inevitable is going to happen, and a family with a few little children in the car is going to be hit by one of those big executive cars coming down from Corhampton at 100mph. It’s going to be carnage.”

In February last year five people were hospitalised after an unmarked police car containing four officers undergoing response training collided with a lorry at the junction.

Just three months later a woman was airlifted to hospital with pelvic injuries following another crash at the crossroads.

“It really is appalling that somebody has been killed,” said Gerry Tull, of Owslebury Parish Council.

“There has been at least 10 fatalities or serious injuries over the last six or seven years.”

“It’s not something that is just a rare occurrence, it’s regular,” he added.

“If a person has been killed then whatever is the cost of putting the crossroads right it would be cheap.”

Winchester MP Mark Oaten said: “I’m shocked to hear that somebody has died at this crossroads.

“Together with residents and the county council I have been trying so hard to make it safer and improvements have been made.

“It is therefore really upsetting to know that despite all this an awful accident has taken place.”

Anthony Manship, the chairman of the parish council, said: “I think the police ought to put in speed cameras.

“We have asked for speed reductions in the past and been told it’s suitable to be 60mph and that’s it. We can’t do any more.

Anyone who witnessed Saturday’s accident is asked to contact Sgt Paul Diamond at Cosham Roads Policing Unit on 0845 045 45 45, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The driver and other passenger in the Fiat and the sole occupant of the Land Rover — a 47-year-old local woman — suffered minor injuries in the incident and were taken to Southampton General Hospital.

"This is a tragic incident and our deepest sympathies go out to the gentleman's family," said Cllr Mel Kendal, executive member for environment at HCC. "We endeavour to make our roads as safe as possible and take positive action to address any trouble spots.

"Until police have concluded their investigations we are unable to comment specifically on this latest accident with regard to whether any further measures are to be considered.

"The Casualty Reduction Partnership will be carrying out a review of this site next week however, as part of the ongoing assessment of all locations where fatal and potentially fatal accidents have occurred.

"Naturally the police investigation's findings will be taken into account when considering the need for further measures."