Crash puts pressure on "missing link" feud (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Crash puts pressure on "missing link" feud

THERE have been more demands for increased road safety on the A417 following yet another death crash on the notorious "missing link."

A 41-year-old Ullenwood man died on the evening of May 19 when his van was in collision with a car on Crickley Hill.

The car driver, who was from Cirencester, escaped with minor injuries.

Over the last seven years the stretch of old, single-lane road between Nettleton Bottom and Brockworth, inexplicably missed out when the road on each side was upgraded to dual carriageway, has been the scene of more than 50 crashes, including at least three fatalities.

Now the parish council at nearby Badgeworth, fed up with the continuing smashes, is drawing up an action plan of its own in the hope of putting pressure on the Highways Agency.

Parish clerk Helen Jones said the plan would demand improved safety measures be put in place.

The council has already written to the Agency, seeking speed limits and the erection of 'danger' signs.

A group of 11 parishes alongside the A417 is campaigning for the missing link to be filled by the construction of a twin-bore tunnel which, they say, would be environmentally acceptable as well as improving safety.

But only last week an official of the Highways Agency told Cotswold councillors there were major doubts about the tunnel solution, because of its £200million construction costs, £2million to £3million a year maintenance costs, and its probably damaging affects on the area's water supplies.

The Agency is shortly expected to submit up to three options to Government ministers for consideration, including surface improvements at Crickley Hill as well as the tunnel proposal.