Campaign to save lives on road between Stratford and Alcester gets more support
THE Herald’s ‘A46 Action’ petition to make the road safer to save lives got the backing of Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Seccombe, who applauded the newspaper’s campaign to reduce fatal collisions on a stretch of road which has claimed several lives over the years.
The commissioner says the A46 has now become a priority and he would like to see the road dualled where necessary between Bishopton and Oversley Green near Alcester.
The A46 was the scene of a fatal incident and serious collision in October both are now with the Serious Collisions Investigation Unit for further examination.
“I would recommend part of the A46 be dual carriageway but it would be a huge project and cost a lot of money but with the cancellation of HS2 more money could be allocated for safety and improvements,” Mr Seccombe said.
He is chair of the Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership which includes Warwickshire Police, Highways England, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue, Warwickshire County Council, borough, district and parish councils. The partnership’s strategy is to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
“I don’t have a position of power but I do have a position of influence,” Mr Seccombe said. “As the partnership is a forum we can ask the questions together and make roads like the A46 safer. I have spoken with bereaved families who are plainly devastated by their loss and every birthday and every Christmas it all comes flooding back. We have Family Liaison Officers who will explain what is going to happen in the immediate aftermath of a fatal. We have also created the country’s first Independent Road Victims Advocate which will spend much longer supporting families and that is a big responsibility.”
This week the commissioner gave his backing to the Herald’s A46 campaign but expressed disappointment that vital safety measures that could be taken now to save lives announced by National Highways might not materialise until 2025 or beyond.
“Improvements to Billesley junction and work on white lines and signage would help immensely. I can’t comment on specific budgets because I don’t know what money National Highways has but the A46 is a priority and money shouldn’t come into the issue of saving lives, Mr Seccombe said.
