Speed limit could be slashed at accident blackspot
The speed limit could be cut at an accident black spot where a woman died and a motorcyclist was seriously injured.
Two major incidents in the A51 at Great Haywood at the junction of Tolldish Lane in the last two years could see the speed limit reduced to 50mph in a £50,000 plan.
The speed limit is currently 60mph on the road.
From 2012 to 2016, three people have been injured after collisions at the junction, which includes two minor injuries, and a serious collision in 2016.
In the latter incident, one person was airlifted to hospital after the accident which involved a VW Caddy van, a Vauxhall Astra and a motorbike.
The motorcyclist had suffered hip and leg injuries but his injuries were not life threatening.
It was followed by a fatal collision last year where 26-year-old Katie Bennett from Market Drayton died after the car she was driving, an Audi A3, was involved in a collision with a Scania Tanker truck on November 13.
There was also a serious crash in 2008 when a Volkswagen Golf and a Mercedes Sprinter Van collided. Seven people were left injured in the smash.
The proposal has been welcomed by ward Councillor Alan Perkins.
He said: “It has always been an accident black spot. I have lived here for 42 years and it has only gotten worse as vehicles of naturally gotten faster.
“Something needs to be done there because we do not want to hear about anymore people hurting themselves or even losing their lives and hopefully this is something that will be able to help the situation.
“The problem is the fact that traffic is travelling down that hill so fast. Plus from the Wolseley Arms to the Western, there are many variations in the speed limit which is a bit worrying and I think that is part of the problem.”
A 40mph speed limit is already in place at the Colwich junction with Main Road plus there is a fixed safety camera system in place.
Concerns have been raised that plans to build 77 homes a mile down the road by Little Tixall Lane will increase the traffic in the area.
He added: “This might have an impact on the area because it will be busier and accidents will be more likely.
“I hope that reducing the speed limit will alleviate the problem especially if there will be more cars driving through as more people will be living there.”
