ROADWORKS to improve the safety of the A350 in Lacock, where a number of deaths have occurred, have been labelled as "premature" by the parish council.

The project, initiated by Wiltshire Council, began on Monday and the initial phase of the works will see a signal controlled right turn implemented from the A350 into Mons Lane.

However Lacock Parish Council are feeling aggrieved that neither they or the village's residents were consulted on this.

"We were disappointed to hear that they were going ahead with a scheme that originated two years and that the people of Lacock were kept in the dark on this," said deputy chairman of Lacock Parish Council, John Boldon.

"When fatalities take place like they did at the tail end of last year and the start of this year in quick succession, it is crucial to take these into account with a coroner’s report.

"We were led to believe they would not proceed with this until they received the coroner’s report. As a result of that, we feel this is premature.

"We are not against improvement work in the slightest but we want the right work to be undertaken. I feel without the coroner’s report, they are looking at it purely from an engineering point of view."

In the past three years, four people have died at the crossroads, most recently 40-year-old Melksham man Darren Honeyball in February.

Melksham resident Kim Seviour started a petition earlier this year calling for Wiltshire Council to change the marking of the junction.

After accumulating more than 2,000 signatures, Wiltshire Council carried out a review on the road.

Philip Whitehead, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for highways, said: “We constantly monitor our roads so we can programme appropriate work to help improve safety. Changes to this junction were already planned but because of the fatal collisions we looked at the planned works in detail again.

“Last year we advised the parish council of the work to implement the additional lane, and confirmed the details in advance of the proposed work. Normally we would have the benefit of a published coroner's report but we feel that these works should not be delayed.

“Should the coroner make any recommendations, we will of course look at the implications.”

Along with the changes to the road, the carriageway will be widened into the western verge to make enough room for a right turn lange.

Road markings will also be improved at the merge points on the exit from the signals on the A350.

After the changes have taken place, Wiltshire Council will be monitoring the road to assess if any other improvements will need to be carried out.