The family of RAF veteran John Saunders, who died after he was hurt while crossing the road just metres from his home, have backed plans for traffic-calming measures on the road.

Mr Saunders of Victoria Road, Warminster, died after he was involved in a collision with a grey Mazda car on Grovelands Way, at the junction with Victoria Road, on January 12.

The driver of the car took Mr Saunders, who was suffering from head and leg injuries, to Salisbury Hospital but he died on January 17.

Warminster Town Council’s planning advisory committee have asked Wiltshire Council to proceed with the traffic-calming measures which were part of the Section 106 agreement arranged with Persimmon Homes when The Grovelands estate was built.

Mr Saunders’ son Dave Saunders, 55, said: “About five or six years ago my father was an advocate for traffic-calming measures but it all went quiet and nothing got done. Because my dad died the issue has raised its head again.

“I’m fully supportive of some measures being introduced as it may save someone else from being knocked down. Unfortunately it’s taken Dad being knocked down for something to happen.”

Town councillor Pip Ridout, who is also a Wiltshire councillor for Warminster West, is concerned for the safety of pupils walking to and from nearby Warminster School and The Minster Primary School.

The proposed measures were included in The Minster’s School Travel Plan.

She said: “I am fighting to make sure that the traffic calming promised for The Grovelands will go ahead.

“It is essential for the safety of residents and children going to school, to avoid it being used as a short cut.”

The councillor also paid tribute to Mr Saunders, who served with the RAF in Singapore between 1949-51 and was a well known figure in Warminster, having run the United Services Club in Imber Road and been membership secretary of Warminster Town FC.

Cllr Ridout said: “John was a lovely old boy who was really sweet. He would always come to me about issues in the town. It’s such a tragedy.”

Details of Mr Saunders’ funeral are still being finalised.

* In a caption in last week’s Wiltshire Times we incorrectly stated that Mr Saunders was pictured with his grandchild Aaron. Aaron is in fact Mr Saunders’ great-grandchild.