7:10pm Friday 27th January 2012
THE A36 where Tuesday’s crash occurred has been the scene of numerous accidents, some fatal, between Warminster and Salisbury.
The stretch between Knook Camp and Upton Lovell is regarded as particularly dangerous.
Boyd McIntosh, 40, of Upton Lovell, who has lived beside the A36 for 12 years, said the main problems were the sheer volume of traffic, and drivers underestimating bends.
“There are thousands of vehicles using the road every day, it is the main route from Southampton up to Bristol, since plans for a bypass collapsed as it was too expensive,” he said.
“Four people died on this bit of road last year, I think they should bring back the old accident blackspot signs to warn people about it.
“The only way of really making a difference would be speed cameras, or altering the road to take out the bends but I imagine that would be too expensive.”
He said it was also difficult for locals to turn out of the Upton Lovell road safely as it is near a blind corner.
An HGV driver for a food retailer, who wanted to remain anonymous, contacted the Wiltshire Times. “We are told to use the A36, if not you are disciplined,” he explained. “I hate driving along that road as motorists try to kill themselves or others.
“The accident yesterday was witnessed by one of our drivers who was first on the scene, he is now having flashbacks. HGVs should be banned from this road until it is made safe. I now use the M4 and A34 to get to the south coast, although this puts my job at risk.”
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