March 11, 2019 1.31 pm This story is over 60 months old

“No funding for improvements” despite fourth death on junction

Matthew Bilby was the latest of four fatalities on the road
The junction from above. Photo: Google

The county’s highways chief has said the authority “simply doesn’t have the funding for major improvements” to a Crowland Junction where four people have died since 2010.

It follows Lincolnshire Coroner Tim Brennand’s fears more people could die if changes are not made to what he called the “dangerous and confusing” island junction where the B1166 Huts Drove and James Road meet the trunk road of the A16.

During an inquest into the death of 48-year-old motorcyclist Matthew Bilby, the fourth fatality since the road opened in 2010, Mr Brennand said he would be writing to the Government and Lincolnshire County Council.

Welcoming the coroner’s support in raising the issue with the Department for Transport, LCC’s executive member for highways Councillor Richard Davies said: “We are well aware of the concerns about the junction, but we simply don’t have the funding for major improvements.”

Councillor Richard Davies, executive councillor for highways.

He said the authority had responded to the speed factor in many collisions by installing average speed cameras and reactive signs.

“This has made to a significant difference to speeds at the junction, and we are currently assessing the impact this has had on collision rates,” he said.

“We will continue to monitor the situation, and would encourage motorists to take extra care when navigating the junction.”

The view of the junction. described as “dangerous, from Hulls Drove

During the inquest last week, Mr Brennand commended the efforts of the passers-by adding: “I have an erstwhile hope that action is taken to prevent anything like this happening again. I hope that Matthew’s death will not be in vain.”

Mr Bilby, of Jubilee Way, Crowland, killed when he rode into the path of a lorry on September 6 last year.

He had been en route to a training course at his workplace – Princes’ factory in Long Sutton – when the collision happened at just before 8am.

Mr Brennand noted that since he had taken up his position on November 5 last year there had been 24 serious collisions on Lincolnshire’s roads resulting in 26 fatalities and urged drivers to apply guidance in the Highway Code, particularly to not join a main road before there’s a gap large enough to do so safely.