Mother seriously injured in crash (From Stroud News and Journal)

Mother seriously injured in crash

A MOTHER seriously injured in the latest collision at the Pitchcombe fork accident black-spot had been complaining about road safety there for years.

Hillary Kilby, 61, from Painswick, was on her way home from visiting a friend when her Audi A4 collided with an Alfa Romeo at the junction on the A46.

Ms Kilby, who had to be cut free from the vehicle, was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, and her injuries were initially thought to be life threatening.

Her partner, Tony Pleass, 63, said: "She has been saying for some time that the junction is dangerous and something needs to be done - just like everyone else in the area.

"Everyone who lives near that junction is concerned about it, but this has brought it much closer to home."

Ms Kilby suffered a broken pelvis and sternum as well as head injuries.

"I would support anything that would improve safety there because it's certainly the worst accident black-spot I've come across," said Pleass.

Ms Kilby, who works at Murray's estate agents in Painswick and has two grown up sons, has now been released from hospital.

This crash at 10.30pm on Tuesday (July 19) is the latest in a string at the site.

Pitchcombe resident Stephen Rowley is one of those at the forefront of a campaign to change the junction, and carried out a survey to gauge opinion.

"The survey showed this is a significant issue to people living in the village," he said.

"People here don't feel as though they can cross the road at that spot."

John Lindsay, area traffic manager at Gloucestershire County Council, said the authority was considering installing new signals there within the next five years.

He said: "Traffic managers will also be sharing a number of ideas for small scale traffic management and road safety proposals for the short and long term with the parish council very soon."

Witnesses to the accident should call police on 0845 090 1234.