ACTION to improve safety on the A417 accident blackspot at Parkway could soon be agreed, the county council has revealed.

A report with recommendations is in the process of being compiled, following public consultation in September, and Herefordshire Council could then introduce new safety measures.

The news comes following a spate of fresh accidents and near misses, logged in a record kept by Ledbury's town councillor, Jane Hopkins, who lives at Parkway.

A recent accident brought a telegraph pole down and led to all of the village being without a phone line and internet for seven days.

And a beloved family dog recently died on the road where, according to Herefordshire Council's own recent survey, the majority of motorists break the 40mph speed limit.

Earlier this autumn, an elderly man suffered serious injuries when he was hit while trying to cross the road.

Cllr Hopkins said of the more recent incidents: "A car ran into a telegraph pole; this is the third time this has happened since I started working from home six years ago.

"When this happens the whole village loses broadband and telephone lines. As someone self employed, of course, I don’t get paid when I can’t work. However, more importantly, we have elderly residents who may not be able to get an ambulance or call the doctor if there is an emergency.

"Luckily we are community spirited and check on our elderly neighbours. This time it only lasted a week, but the last two lasted for three weeks. Three weeks without contact with family or access to healthcare is no joke."

But Cllr Hopkins added: "The frequency of such accidents is increasing in line with the increase in traffic. I moved here in 2003; at that time there were periods each afternoon when barely a car passed, now there is never a break.

"We had no incidents of that magnitude before about six years ago, and the incidents are just getting more and more frequent and more and more serious.

"A telegraph pole is one thing, what if that was a person? We’ve already had one person seriously injured, what more will it take before something is done?

"Last week, one of my neighbours had their dog run over, a lovely little dog and the family are devastated. The driver didn’t even stop. How long before this is a small child?

"Recently, I tried reversing onto my driveway, and despite indicating in plenty of time a car behind me stopped with only inches to spare; when he overtook he shook his fist at me and gesticulated rudely. Again the frequency of such incidents is increasing"

Parkway is on the main route to and from the M50, and Cllr Hopkins is concerned that problems will only get worse if Ledbury expands, as is expected.

But a Herefordshire Council spokesman said this week: “Herefordshire Council sought the views of the local community during September and all views expressed will be reflected in a report about this section of road, which is currently being prepared for consideration.

"It would not be helpful to comment in detail until the council has had an opportunity to consider the report, its draft recommendations and determine what further action, if any, is required.”

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