RESIDENTS campaigning for improved safety on a ‘dangerous’ road are calling for more action from highways chiefs.

They are demanding a cut in speed limit at the A33/B3047 junction in Kings Worthy, near Winchester.

It follows the death of pedestrian Jonathan Whitfield, 21, from Cheriton, near the junction last year, as well as a death on the A33 nearby on Sunday when a BMW hit a tree near Meadow Farm.

Police are investigating the crash which killed 39-year-old Adam Hardwick, of Ormesby Drive, Chandler’s Ford.

He was pronounced dead at the scene after his BMW collided with a tree on the A33 Basingstoke Road, near Kings Worthy.

Campaigners, 50 of whom gathered at the junction at the weekend (above), want a reduction in the speed limit from 50 to 40mph and a roundabout or traffic lights, as they feel the current junction layout is confusing.

It is understood after they made a deputation to Hampshire County Council that speed checks were carried out by the authority.

Two months on, campaigners still don’t know the results.

County councillor Jackie Porter has asked for the results of the checks but has only had holding replies, which cite the inquest of Mr Whitfield as the reason. Kings Worthy Parish Council hasn’t received the results either.

Cllr Porter said: “I believe that this junction has the worst accident record of all the roads coming out of Winchester, and with the increase in traffic as Kings Barton (Barton Farm) residents move in, this can only get worse.

“Worried drivers are quite rightly taking longer to make the difficult decision to cross the lines of traffic, causing long lines of traffic, especially at peak times,” she said.

Cllr Porter added: “The frustration of other drivers adds stress into the equation and drivers report feeling pressurised into moving forward, even if they don’t feel safe. Arguments continue about who has the right of way and the dotted lines are confusing.”

“More people are using Lovedon Lane and Park Lane to avoid the junction completely, we know the junction was created in good faith. But it hasn’t worked.

“We just want someone at the county council to be ‘big enough’ to admit it confuses drivers, stop tinkering with the design, and listen to people using the junction every day who want to see a completely new layout that works to and from all directions.”

Speaking about the latest crash Cllr Porter added: “It is a section of road where there is no reason to change the limit. But all the people living at Burntwood and Shroner Wood feel the speed needs to be monitored better than it is, the police should be monitoring it better. There is no realistic speed enforcement.

“With the Sunday crash we do not know whether it was the weather, animals, speed and someone falling asleep.”

Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Hampshire County Council, councillor Rob Humby said: “Following the recent tragic accident, a preliminary speed survey was carried out in December, followed up by another in January, both of which are currently being analysed. I understand that people are impatient for answers, and also recognise that this junction arrangement is not typical – although in full compliance with Government guidance.

"We are continuing to monitor traffic movements and speeds, but there are complex traffic movements here and we need to look very carefully at the implications of any further measures before we make any alternative plans.”