Called for speed cameras after two killed on A41 near Market Drayton
A mayor has called for speed cameras after two motorcyclists died near Market Drayton on the first sunshine weekend of the spring.
The tragedy is the latest of dozens of crashes on the A41 near Market Drayton over the years and its mayor, Councillor Mark Whittle, says that it is time for action.
Hundreds of bikers descended on Shropshire and Mid Wales, at the weekend attracted by its stunning country roads.
But the weekend was marred by tragedy as the start of the biking season in our region ended with a number of serious accidents.
West Mercia Police today warned both motorcyclists and other road users to respect each other.
The collision happened just after 11am on the A41 at Crickmerry on the stretch near to the Tern Hill Barracks.
The man and woman, believed to both be in their 50s, were pronounced dead at the scene. Several witnesses to the accident were treated for shock.
Councillor Whittle said: "The road is a naturally fast road carrying a high proportion of heavy goods vehicles and at the moment the speed limit goes from 40 miles an hour to 60 and then back to 40. There are junctions going to housing on either side and it is a road that needs a lot of care.
Reservoir
"There have been so many accidents on that stretch over the years - it's time that speed cameras were introduced to slow the traffic down."
Elsewhere, a man was seriously injured after a crash in Swancote, near Bridgnorth. The rider of the motorbike, a man in his 30s, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham after a crash between his motorbike and a car. It happened at about 10.40am on Sunday.
In Mid Wales a police officer had to leave the launch of Dyfed-Powys’s bike safety campaign, Operation Darwen, to attend a fatal crash near the Crai reservoir.
Police said a male biker was killed in a crash on the A4067 between Pen-y-Cae and the Crai Reservoir at 11am on Sunday.
Each year West Mercia Police runs its Think Bike campaign, urging motorists to be aware of bikers around them.
Roads Policing Inspector Nigel Webster of West Mercia Police was called to the A41 crash. He urged all motorists to be aware of the influx of bikers on Shropshire’s roads, adding: “Our thoughts are with the family of those who sadly died in this collision."
