New cameras and speed limits planned after deaths

Changes to two A-roads in Gloucestershire are being brought in after 34 people have been killed or seriously injured on them since 2020.

The plan will see average speed cameras installed on the A436 between Seven Springs and Shipton, and the A46 near Pitchcombe junction will see its speed limit dropped.

Last year four friends died when a black Renault Clio crashed into a tree after leaving the A436. A father also died after a single-vehicle collision in a separate incident on the same road.

Nick Evans, deputy police and crime commissioner, said the measures are "about saving lives".

Gloucestershire County Council said the major contributing factor to collisions on these roads was speed.

Average speed cameras will be installed on the A436, where there has been 13 fatal or serious injury collisions since 2020.

The council has said the new average speed cameras will enforce the existing 50mph limit, adding the move typically ensures up to 99% compliance with speed limits.

Meanwhile the speed limit on the A46 near Pitchcombe junction will be reduced from 50mph to 40mph.

The council said there had been 10 crashes in which people were killed or seriously injured on the road since 2020.

The work to install the measures will start next month and will cost about £400,000.

Mr Evans said: "Nearly half of the deaths and serious injuries on these stretches of road have involved excess speed, so as a road safety partnership, we see these installations as a crucial step in improving road safety.

"Anything that we can do to prevent more families suffering the heartache of another fatality is worthwhile, and will benefit the local communities too, who know all too well the dangers posed by speeding motorists."

Chairman of Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership Dave Norman said road safety is "a priority".

"I'm pleased to see these cameras installed as we know that reducing speeds at these locations will have a positive outcome in reducing the number of collisions," he added.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.