A FATAL collision at an ‘accident blackspot’ has prompted fresh calls for a speed limit reduction to be put into place to protect motorists.
The latest incident on Whams Road, Crow Edge, took place last Friday evening and involved a black BMW Z3 and a black Mitsubishi Outlander.
The BMW’s occupants, two men aged 57 and 23, were pronounced dead at the scene and the Mitsubishi’s driver - a 39-year-old woman - sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital.
Emergency services were called at 6.15pm and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance landed near the road, which was closed for several hours while officers from both West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire forces attempted to piece together the final moments before the collision.
The identity of the two men who died is yet to be released by the police but Coun Hannah Kitching said the incident has affected everyone in the area.
Coun Kitching, whose ward the road is in, called on the police and council to work together to bring in a speed limit reduction on Whams Road.
“I want to stress that at this moment in time we’re unaware of the circumstances regarding this crash, but there’s been fatalities on Whams Road before and nothing has been done,” she told the Chronicle.
“It’s important that this isn’t the case now, especially for the families of those involved and the residents living nearby. It’s a 60mph limit and that’s too much - logic suggests anyone involved in a crash has a better chance of surviving if it happens at 30 or 40mph, not 60 or 70mph.
“The council is keen to tell us about its so-called ‘worst-first’ list, which is apparently where investment goes on a prioritised basis where there’s been a history of collisions, but Whams Road is yet to receive anything and it’s had a series of crashes.
“People have died, and nothing has been done as yet and it’s time for a serious response from both the police and the council.
“The issues the road has is a constant source of complaints from those who use it and those who live nearby.”
Police bosses were due to field questions about Whams Road’s safety at a public meeting which was held at St John’s Community Centre, Penistone, last night and officers have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
“The families of the men have been notified and are receiving support,” a spokesperson said. “The road was closed to allow investigators to carry out initial enquiries. Officers are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to make contact.
“Please call 101 quoting incident number 761 of March 1.”
Barnsley Council said it was unable to comment on the road’s future until the police’s enquiry is over and their findings have been passed to the coroner’s office.
“To make comment now, before the full circumstances of the incident have been determined, would be inappropriate, could prejudice the police’s investigation and cause undue distress to the family of the deceased,” a spokesperson said.
“Once the police has concluded their investigation and the coroner has issued findings then any recommendations will be investigated jointly by the road policing group of South Yorkshire Police and a member of the council’s highways team.
“While we fully appreciate there may be local concerns as a result of the recent collision the council has a duty to follow due legal process. The highways team will assist the police with their investigations if required.”
