'Work is vital at too-busy bridge'
A COUNCILLOR has called for improvements at an historic Derbyshire bridge after a woman died in a crash over the weekend.
John Harrison has been campaigning for action over safety at Swarkestone Bridge for several years.
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Swarkestone Bridge
The causeway, which is an ancient monument, was the scene of a fatal three-car collision on Saturday.
Mr Harrison, of Melbourne, said he believed the crash highlighted the need for a scheme dealing with traffic travelling from South Derbyshire into Derby.
He said: "Swarkestone causeway is the principle route south over the River Trent into the city of Derby and is heavily used by a lot of people.
"It is a Grade A ancient monument and deserves maximum protection, but day by day, year by year, the volume of traffic over it increases.
"The situation has been underlined by the tragic accident this weekend, which as far as I'm aware is the first fatality at Swarkestone in the last 10 years."
Saturday's crash, at about 11.55am, involved an Audi, a Nissan Micra and a Ford Focus.
The female driver of one of the vehicles died at the scene and another man was taken to hospital by air ambulance, although his injuries, and those of the other motorist involved, were not believed to be serious.
The smash followed several hours of rainfall on Saturday morning.
In June last year in a similar incident, also following heavy rainfall, a car ended up on its roof after veering across the road, th rough a wall and down an embankment.
The 28-year-old driver escaped with minor injuries.
Mr Harrison said an investigation would shortly be carried out by South Derbyshire District Council, with a traffic management expert drafted in to come up with a solution to the problem of congestion on the causeway.
He said: "We want to protect this historic monument while at the same time providing safe and effective access into Derby.
"A by-pass could be the answer but that would be a very expensive project.
"I'm not a traffic expert and I'd rather not speculate on options until the investigation has been carried out."
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed Saturday's crash to call the collision investigation unit on 01773 572929.
10 Comments
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by DerbyBorn, Derby
Monday, June 08 2009, 1:52PM
“In Florida they have a 7 mile bridge in the sea to connect a string of islands. Shouldn't be impossible to do a smaller version in Swarkestone. We would then be able to see the historic monument from a better vantage point.”
by h s , derby, derby
Monday, June 08 2009, 11:45AM
“My thoughts are with all the family at this devistating sad time. I knew the lady that died, through work, for many years and she was an absolute star. She will be greatly missed but much loved by all.”
by Anon, Derby
Monday, June 08 2009, 11:37AM
“As a relative of the woman who died as a result of this tragic accident I say one death is one too many. This is an ancient bridge which was never designed to carry one motor vehicle never mind the volume of traffic that crosses it on a daily basis as a main route in and out of Derby. Nothing can change Saturdays events but I would hate to think this could happen to another family one day. Action is needed to make this section of road safer, and it is needed NOW.”
by Dave, Long Eaton
Monday, June 08 2009, 11:35AM
“Swarkestone Bridge is a fine piece of history, but a lousy road, too narrow and full of awkward little kinks. Leave it as a monument and footpath / cycle path, and build a proper bridge next to it. We motoists pay enough tax, for Gods sake!”
by driver, Derby
Monday, June 08 2009, 11:23AM
“I have driven over this bridge many times, in all weathers, and I agree it could do with having a filter system, traffic lights being one suggestion. Whilst saying it would be too expensive to have a by-pass surely loss of life being the alternative price, how can it be considered too expensive?”