Drivers geared for road protest

Truckers are on standby to do a drive-slow through Beckford in protest at the island on the A46 Cheltenham Road, which was highlighted when a juggernaut left the road and ploughed head-on into a house in April.

Its driver, 57-year-old Geoffrey Richardson, from Nuneaton, died in the crash, while the family inside escaped shocked, but unscathed.

Residents called for the island to be removed, as it was a possibility the lorry had lost control after it struck the island, which was put in as part of a traffic calming scheme at the beginning of the year.

The crash followed a similar incident just six weeks earlier, when another lorry left the road and hit a neighbouring property, damaging brickwork.

Cheltenham Road resident Pat Tovey, aged 40, gathered more than 1,000 names on a petition to remove the island and Highways Agency officials said they would carry out a safety audit on the A46 Cheltenham Road, but they have now said they have no intention of removing it.

Highways Agency spokesman Annie Harris said: "The Stage three audit threw up no major problems with the scheme and did not recommend the removal of the bollards."

Mrs Tovey said: "The Highways Agency have told me they are going to meet with the parish council. I've told them I want to be involved because I started this ball rolling.

She said that more than 300 lorry drivers signed the petition and added: "If nothing happens after the meeting, I am prepared to contact the lorry drivers to do a drive-slow through the village.

Sir Michael Spicer, MP for West Worcestershire, said he had raised the issue of the pedestrian island with Highways Agency chief executive Tim Matthews.

Sir Michael said: "This particular crossing outside number 16, is used very infrequently by pedestrians. It has, however, been the site of several accidents including one that was fatal. "Given the other traffic calming measures on the A46 at Beckford, these bollards should be removed immediately."