Around 50 residents from Deerhurst Parish have come together to demand urgent measures to tackle speeding and improve road safety following the death of a pedestrian on the A38 near Deerhurst Walton in December.
Concerns have been mounting over dangerous driving on Ledbury Road (B4213) and in the village of Apperley, especially near the local school. Accidents have also been reported near the Farmers Arms in Lower Apperley. The fatal collision involving a man in his 60s has intensified calls for change.
Deerhurst Parish Council convened a public meeting at Apperley Village Hall, providing a platform for locals to voice their worries about traffic hazards. Key issues include excessive speeding, poor road conditions causing drivers to swerve, inadequate signage, and speed limits that many feel should be lowered.
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Attendees contributed ideas for improving safety, which are now being compiled ahead of a follow-up meeting involving community partners, Gloucestershire County Council Highways, and the police.
Parish council chair Laura Bromberg expressed gratitude for community involvement: “We appreciate residents coming forward and are committed to working collectively to make safety our top priority.”
The meeting was attended by newly elected County Councillor Richard Stanley (LD, Severn Vale), who pledged to collaborate with councillors, highway officials, residents, and MP Cameron Thomas to ensure the community’s concerns are addressed.
Cllr Stanley stated, “The tragic loss of life and numerous near misses underscore serious safety issues on county roads. It’s unacceptable that action often only follows tragedy. I am dedicated to ensuring residents are heard and effective steps are taken to prevent further incidents.”
Residents interested in joining the community speed watch or traffic working groups are encouraged to contact the parish clerk, Seline Holder, at [email protected].