WELLINGTON businessman Craig Holmes has called for ‘action right now’ following the latest serious accident on the A38 blackspot which has seen nine fatalities over the past 20 years.

Craig runs the Beambridge Inn - the scene of Monday morning’s big crash - along with his wife Karen, who organised a petition which gained more than 1.300 signatures after a fatal accident last year. The petition was sent to the county councillor responsible for highways but they did not receive a reply.

“Why does it take another accident to bring this to the fore?” asked Craig this week. “There is enough information and data to suggest this is one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the county.

“It has taken far too long for action to be taken by the authorities. I know that work is being done in the background regarding reports, etc, but action should be taken right now.”

The former Mayor of Wellington Janet Lloyd, who lives very close to this notorious stretch of the A38, said: “This is yet another serious accident near the Beambridge Inn. After the most recent fatality in March, Somerset Highways and the Police undertook an examination of the road and the traffic using it.

“We, Sampford Arundel Parish Council, were told that the road and traffic usage was looked at but any alterations would take 12 - 18 months to be introduced. That was five months ago and we have heard nothing more to date.

“Two other serious incidents in recent years occurred on wet roads but the weather on Monday was dry, fine and sunny, so what caused this latest accident?

Some vehicles do drive at excessive speed on this stretch of road but since the temporary traffic lights were installed at the Perry Elm roundabout, vehicles cannot get up to such great speed as they could in the past when reaching the Beambridge.”

She added: “My thoughts are with the casualties of this latest accident.”

BOLD: The latest road accident on the A38 blackspot occurred at around 11.20 a.m. on Monday and involved a Toyota 4 x 4 and a lorry right outside the Beambridge Inn.

The male driver of the Toyota was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Two passengers in the vehicle sustained injuries that were not life threatening.

The road was closed in both directions from the Perry Elm roundabout to the Beambridge Inn while enquiries were conducted at the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has dash cam footage is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 5221225308.