CALLS have been made to review the safety of a busy junction where a 78-year-old woman died after she was hit by a car.

Edith Smith, known as Dinah, was crossing the A419 Bristol Road at the pedestrian crossing, near to the junction with Downton Road, when she was hit by a blue Citroen C1 driven by a 31-year-old woman, also from Stonehouse, on Thursday shortly before 2pm.

Paramedics, including those from an air ambulance, treated Mrs Smith – who used to work for Cotswold District Council – but she passed away at the scene.

There is no suggestion that the driver was at fault.

County councillor Lesley Williams (Labour, Stonehouse) said she was going to ask the highways department to review the phasing of the traffic lights at the junction.

“It is an awful thing to happen and my thoughts go out to the family,” she said.

“A lot of people use the crossing, including a lot of older people and it is a very busy road.

“We need to make sure the phasing of the lights is timed to give enough time for older people to get across.”

Cllr Williams also urged drivers to take extra caution and pay close attention to the traffic lights, which were first installed at the junction for a blind man who regularly walked in the area, working as a piano tuner.

District councillor Gary Powell (Labour, Stonehouse) witnessed a fatal crash on the stretch of road when a young cyclist was hit by a car, before the traffic lights were installed.

He said: “The speed that cars go at on the road is a worry, sometimes drivers can chase the lights. “Many years ago we were looking at a bridge to take pedestrians over the road but there are too many restrictions for that to happen.

“I would urge motorists and pedestrians to take extra care, particularly as there are a lot of young and elderly people who cross.

“It is a terrible thing to have happened and my heart goes out to the family.”

Flowers have been laid in tribute to Mrs Smith at the scene of the collision.

An inquest was opened into the death yesterday, Tuesday and adjourned with a target hearing date of January 17, 2017.

The coroner has listed the initial cause of death as resulting from multiple injuries.

Shock and sympathy have been expressed to the family of Mrs Smith.

District councillor Mattie Ross (Labour, Stonehouse) said: “My profound sympathy goes to the family, it is a dreadful thing to have happened.

“It is awfully sad for the family and for the driver too.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash.

They would like to speak to anybody who may have dashcam footage of the collision or the moments immediately before or after the incident.

Call 101, quoting incident 213 of August 18 if you have information.