By Harry Mottram: Concerns have been raised by residents and parents of the school in Shipham about road safety in the village following the death of pedestrian on New Road. The man died when in collision with a van on a section of the road where it is legal to drive at 60mph. Some residents have said the section from Shipham to the A38 should be restricted to 40mph in line with some rural roads and roads leading in and out of a community. On that section anecdotally vehicles will hit 60mph on a regular basis – as well as on Shipham Hill leading from the village down to the filling station at the junction of Axbridge Road A371 and the B3135 and Upper New Road.
On February 3, 2024, Police appealed for witnesses following the death of a male pedestrian on New Road in Shipham. They issued this statement: “We are seeking witnesses to a fatal collision earlier this week in Shipham. We were called by the ambulance service shortly before 12.15pm on Thursday 1 February to reports of a male pedestrian being critically injured in a collision involving a van in New Road. Paramedics and the air ambulance attended the scene, as well as officers, but sadly the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“The man’s next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this incredibly upsetting time. A family liaison officer will provide them with support. The driver of the van remained at the scene. Enquiries into the collision are ongoing. The road was closed for several hours to enable collision investigation work to be conducted, and reopened in the evening. We wish to hear from any motorists with potentially relevant dashcam footage, or witnesses, and would ask them to contact us online or on 101 and providing the call-handler with reference number 5224027592.”
Axbridge News understands the collision between the pedestrian and the van was by the footpath and track crossing between the cemetery and the A38 junction where there is a slight bend in the road – pictured. We understand the older gentleman was out for a walk when the incident happened. The road at that point is within national highway speed limits of up to 60mph as it is not street lit or built up. Comments online from residents suggest there is an issue with vehicles speeding on this road and also in the village near the school where there is a 30mph speed limit. Coming up the road from the A38 once you pass the cemetery the speed limit drops to 30mph with warning lines on the road and a sign saying slow down. If the speed limit was 40mph then vehicles would potentially be travelling at a slower speed and thus improving road safety – particularly for pedestrians, equestrians and cyclists.
Axbridge News is edited by Harry Mottram and is published for the interest of himself and fellow residents.
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