Calls for action on 'danger road'

On Wednesday a woman who died following a collision on the controversial route was formally identified as Anne Joyce Deeks, aged 69, who lived at Sagecroft in Thatcham.
Mrs Deeks died in a two-vehicle incident around 10.49am on Wednesday, February 26, on the A4 near Milkhouse Road in Marsh Benham.
A spokeswoman for the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Ellie Gray, said two people were freed by fire crews.
Tragically, Mrs Deeks died and her funeral takes place next Wednesday, March 12, at West Berkshire Crematorium at midday.
The family has asked for donations, in lieu of flowers, to be made to the road safety charity, Brake.
Although there is no suggestion that speeding was a factor in the tragedy, it has galvanised safety campaigners.
Edward Bell, of Halfway, said: “We urgently need some kind of speed control along a section of the A4 between Newbury and Hungerford.
The Halfway Residents’ Group is trying to get 30mph speed limits introduced at main junction points along the A4 to prevent people driving at speeds reportedly exceeding 90mph on occasions.
Mr Bell added: “Our initial request was denied, with no explanation given as to why, and despite our putting forward evidence of the dangers of the road, especially between the Kintbury junction and A34, as drivers exceed the limit in close proximity with people trying to safely pull out onto the A4 from side roads.
“Users of the restaurant at Halfway, those who live in Kintbury, Inkpen, Halfway, Marsh Benham and all surrounding hamlets and villages know the dangers of trying to pull onto the A4 from one of the North-South side roads. I've nearly been involved in a serious accident myself. We will now be updating and resubmitting our proposal.”
Again, although there is no suggestion speed was a factor, there have been several other fatalities on that stretch including an incident in August 2012 when a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle.
And on page 17 this week we report on a fatality there last June.
A 60 page petition accompanies the proposal and Mr Bell concluded: “It's an important local issue. We're all drivers in that part of the county, we all know how annoying speed limits can be, but it cannot continue that people drive so recklessly for such a large stretch of road. Wherever they decide to put in a speed limit (the junction between the A4 and the road for Kintbury station and the A4/Hoe Benham Lane are particularly dangerous) something must be done.
A spokeswoman for West Berkshire Council, Peta Stoddart-Crompton, said: “Any further requests for a lower speed limit will be considered by the speed limit task group in accordance with current guidance.”