Accident blackspot to get cameras

Speed cameras are to be introduced on a notorious north Shropshire road where five young people have died in road accidents in less than two-and-a-half years.

Shropshire Council road safety chiefs revealed today the A495 between Ellesmere and Whittington will shortly become a speed enforcement route.

Campaigners have been calling for safety improvements following a spate of tragedies.

Earlier this year, 20-year-old Michael Jones, from Whittington, died in a crash on the A495 and three people died following a crash on the same road in May last year when the car they were in collided with another and burst into flames.

Corrine Thomas, 24, Robert McLoughlin, 19, and Kiera Smyth, 18, all died in a crash between Whittington and Welsh Frankton.

Seventeen-year-old Hayley Roberts died after an accident on the stretch of road in December 2006.

Council bosses said today work had been carried out to allow the road to be monitored by speed cameras.

Alice Dilly, Shropshire Council's principal engineer for road safety, said: "A number of safety camera signs were put up along this route last week as it will shortly be introduced as an enforcement route, following discussions with the Safer Roads Partnership.

"We will also be improving some warning signs and road markings between Kinsale Farm and the Hindford junction in the near future."

The move followed calls earlier this year by members of Ellesmere Town Council for an investigation.

Shropshire Council officers said at the time a review on all speed limits on rural A and B class roads was being carried out.

The deaths also led to the launch of a road safety campaign at the Lakelands School in Ellesmere.