CAMPAIGNERS passionate about making a notorious junction of the A66 safer have stepped up their calls for action after another fatal accident.

The A66 Action Group, made up largely of residents from in and around Ravensworth village, near Richmond, said feelings in their community were running high following the most recent death on March 22 when a woman died and a man seriously injured following a crash between her car and a HGV travelling westbound.

Ken Bell from the group said they had been campaigning for a safer junction since 2017.

He said: “Following a very serious accident which occurred on the A66 close to the Fox Hall Inn on May 19, 2017, the local community here in and around Ravensworth decided to form an A66 action group to press more effectively for changes and improvements to the two mile section which still remains as single‐carriageway between Carkin Moor and West Layton.

“We agreed two main objectives: to secure measures to make the A66 itself inherently safer via a reduction in speed limit; and to try to gain commitment for improvements in the road layout at the New Lane junction with the A66 – the main road out of Ravensworth joining the A66.

“Highways England agreed to implement a reduced speed limit of 50 mph on this section of the A66, however no significant changes have been made to the road layout at the New Lane junction and we have continued to press for these."

A Highways England spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with everyone involved in the fatal incident on 22 March. As a police investigation is underway it is not appropriate for us to comment further on the incident at this time.

“Safety is our highest priority and we are committed to improving safety at this location. In August 2018 we carried out road patching work along this stretch of the A66 and refreshed sections of the road lining. A further refresh of lining in this area will start in the next few weeks. We are also looking into options to increase visibility at the Ravensworth junction by removing the hedgerows.

“A temporary 50mph speed limit was introduced in October 2018 and we have just completed a survey looking at the rate of compliance within the area. The results of this survey will help determine what further measures can be undertaken and we will be working with the local authority and the police to pursue enforcement options.”