Marlborough residents are calling for the speed limit on the A4 past Savernake Hospital to be lowered from 50mph to 30mph, following an incident yesterday (Thursday) in which a pedestrian was hit by a car and killed.
A petition on the website Change.Org has been launched by Emily Palmer, who said: “As Marlborough has continued to expand, the pavement between the Savernake hospital and town has become more heavily used by both hospital users, staff and visitors, and local residents, many of which are families.
“Following the tragic incident on the 9th of June 2016 along the A4 outside Savernake Hospital, we are asking Wiltshire Council to reduce the speed limit from 50mph to 30mph.
“Reducing the speed limit will enable pedestrians to feel safer on this route, and therefore encourage a greener method of transport.
“This is not the first serious accident along this stretch of road, please support this change to help make Marlborough safe.”
Despite being launched within the past hour (at around 2pm) the petition is already gathering momentum, and has won the support of a driver who witnessed the accident.
Mia White, from Marlborough, said: “I witnessed a pedestrian having just been knocked down by a car and killed yesterday with my children in the car who also saw the body. Very distressing.
“We walk up and down the hill often. Drivers never stick to the limit and even if they do 50 is too fast. The pavement is narrow, uneven and generally unsafe.”
The A4 was closed during the evening rush hour yesterday after a Swindon woman in her 50s was killed.
Police said two cars – a blue BMW 328 and yellow Seat Leon Cupra – were travelling towards Froxfield when the BMW left the carriageway and collided with the woman.
Two men were arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and have been released on conditional bail. They are 24 and 27-years-old and are both from the Marlborough area.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward. PC Mark Cargill can be contacted on 101.
To support the petition, log on to https://www.change.org/p/wiltshire-council-lower-the-speed-limit-to-30mph-past-savernake-hospital-9e7ac0a9-1f40-40ce-8ac1-9c6ab3e38025/c/464518388