Petition calls for A38 safety review after death

A 70mph speed limit is in place on a small section of the road

Calls have been made for the speed limit to be reduced on a busy stretch of the A38 in Gloucestershire.

Last December a man died after he was hit by a car as he tried to cross the dual carriageway near Coombe Hill.

More than 80 residents have since signed a petition calling for a safety review of the 0.4-mile stretch of road between Gloucester and Tewkesbury.

Mark Giard, who lives nearby, said some bus drivers refuse to stop on the road "because of the danger".

Mark Giard's friend was killed on the road in December

Mr Giard has been campaigning for change following the death of his friend Jack on the road last year.

"We came up here to take the bus to Cheltenham which involves crossing all four lanes to get to the stop," he said.

"It was pitch black, it was rush hour and there are no street lights here.

"Jack was hit and died instantly".

He hopes safety alterations will stop any further deaths.

"It wouldn't have saved Jack's life, making changes, because the driver wasn't speeding," he said. "But it raised our awareness that this could happen to one of these youngsters or elderly people.

"I saw someone come up here with a pushchair trying to cross the road to get to the bus stop. It was really dangerous.

"Just north of here the road is one lane in both directions, with a bike lane and 50mph all the way to Tewkesbury [which is] very sensible.

"This tiny strip is the only bit that's different."

Councillor Richard Stanley said something "needed to be done"

The campaign has been backed by Councillor Richard Stanley who said: "I would not be happy for my own child to cross this road so something needs to be done".

Mr Stanley presented a petition, started by Tewkesbury MP Cameron Thomas, to Gloucestershire County Council.

"That was submitted at full council, encouraging the council officers to complete a road safety survey on this road and to look at different options, whether that's improving the signage, looking at the crossing, looking at the maintenance of the trees and hedgerows and perhaps considering a reduced speed limit.

"Hopefully that's something that can happen with public support."