Bid to cut deaths of young motorists on rural Shropshire roads

Leaders in the south of the county say it is time to act in an effort to prevent any more tragedies. With at least five deaths on the winding rural roads around Bishop's Castle, Chirbury, Worthern and Clun in recent years – and many more in south Shropshire as a whole – town and parish councillors have banded together and voted to restart a scheme that ran almost a decade ago.

The area's Local Joint Committee has agreed to approach Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and West Mercia Police to look at running a series of events in a campaign to persuade young people to drive with more care.

Last year there were five deaths on the A49 – a cyclist, two pedestrians and two motorcyclists.

But Councillor Charlotte Barnes, Shropshire Councillor for Bishop's Castle, said there had been just as many along the more rural roads.

She said there had been three on the winding roads around Wentnor and Ratlinghope in recent memory, and two at the Bishop's Castle crossroads itself.

She said a similar initiative to raise awareness almost a decade ago had proved very successful, but since there had been nothing quite like it – and more deaths.

"We all know that young people, especially young men, drive much too fast," she said.

"The roads are officially 60mph and young people who have just passed their driving test can think they have to drive that fast – plus when you're that age you tend to think you're indestructible.

"On rural roads like ours the margin of error is very small and the resulting death toll much too high.

"We all know people that have been killed and injured on the roads over the years.

"In communities like this it only takes one death to devastate it. One is too many.

"About eight years ago the local area committee of the old South Shropshire District Council brought together a number of agencies to give young people an insight into just how devastating accidents can be.

"For example the fire brigade gave examples of the damage and injuries that can be sustained in a road accident while the police discussed safe driving techniques along rural roads.

"A local garage also gave tips on care and maintenance. The events attracted significant numbers of young people.

"All rural areas suffer from this blight but we don't have to stand idly by and watch it happen. It had a significant effect on our young people last time and its high time we tried it again," she said.

She said the LJC was negotiating to hold a first event in the late spring or early summer and West Mercia Commissioner, Bill Longmore, had already expressed an interest.