CHANGES must be made to the A303 to make it safer after the road claimed its ninth life in the area since 2010, according to a road safety charity.

Official figures show since 2010, 21 vehicles have been involved in fatal collisions on the A303 west of Cartgate roundabout, with nine deaths and 16 injuries in a series of horrendous incidents.

The latest of the fatal crashes came on February 28, when 81-year-old Combe St Nicholas resident Williams Roberts died after a crash with an oncoming lorry.

This was followed by another serious crash on March 8, which saw a woman cut free from the car and airlifted to hospital for treatment of two broken legs and a broken pelvis.

Jack Kushner, spokesman for safety charity Brake, said: “It is tragic to see this dangerous stretch of road has claimed yet another life. As a charity that supports road crash victims and their families, we would fully support any calls to improve the safety of this road.

“Crashes cause appalling suffering to families and communities, and we call on the government to take action to eradicate crashes across the country.

“The government, its agencies and local authorities, all have a major part to play in encouraging safe driving and tackling crash hotspots. We would also urge the people of Ilminster and Chard to take extra care on the A303, along with other roads right across the UK.”

Marcus Fysh, MP for South Somerset, said: “Highways England’s work, along with the police, identified speed is not a defining factor in the crashes, but rather that they often involved vehicles crossing the centre line.

“Sadly accidents on these roads have often been head-on collisions and very serious. Measures are being designed to make these less likely and I will push for their introduction as soon as possible.”

According to Highways England, plans to improve the A303 west of Marsh and east of South Petherton are in place, but not between Buckland St Mary and Ilminster.

The spokesman for Highways said: “Safety is a key priority for Highways England, and we are looking closely at this particular section of the A303 Ilminster bypass.

“We have a road safety scheme between Honiton and Marsh. This is being designed and should be constructed in 2018/2019. A route accident study for Marsh to Southfields will follow to identify any further minor safety schemes.”

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