6th August 2024

Present: Cllr Claire Wild (Shropshire Council), Mark Bebb (Salop Leisure), David Gradwell (Shropshire Council Highways Engineering), Rod Lake (West Mercia Police), Cllrs Laura Dixon and Rob Trow (Atcham Parish Council), Alison Utting (Clerk to Atcham Parish Council).

Background: The meeting was arranged by Claire Wild following a fatal accident on 21/06/2024, outside the turning to Salop Leisure/Love2Stay. There was then a further serious collision at the same spot on 30/07/2024. This follows two personal injury accidents that occurred at the same location in August last year, one classed as serious injury. The Parish Council has also received many concerns about the safety of this stretch of road from local residents, particularly those who have to exit their properties onto the B4380. There is also a petition that has been started by a close relative of the motorcyclist who died on 21st June.

Main outcomes of the meeting:

Dave Gradwell reported that the cluster of accidents will almost certainly trigger investigation by Shropshire Council – this to be confirmed shortly. He expects actions to be drawn up as soon as possible. Likely options will be: the provision of double solid white no overtaking lines and permanent warning signage, hopefully within the next 2-3 months.  He will also try and arrange for the provision of some suitable temporary warning signage prior to this. The introduction of a reduced speed limit is also a future safety option. However, this will need to be investigated further, to include the commissioning of traffic/speed surveys, etc., which will determine what level of speed limit could be considered. He will also begin discussions about the B4380 Thieves Lane stretch of road.

Rod Lake said that West Mercia Police would support engineering improvements put forward by Shropshire County Council Highways Department intended to reduce the number of road casualties and to generally improve road safety in and around the locality of Salop Leisure.

In the short term, Mark Bebb is keen to do all he can to prevent further accidents. In consultation with West Mercia Police and SC Highways, he will look into improving signage on his land to warn drivers and motorcyclists coming off the roundabout that they need to reduce their speed and be aware of vehicles turning. He has also offered to help with financing the longer-term road safety measures.