Call for action on A59 after Mellor Brook man's death

4:53pm Monday 12th May 2008

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A FATAL accident has underlined the need for action to improve safety on one of the area's most notorious roads, according to an MP.

The death on Sunday of 67-year-old cyclist John Whitaker, from Mellor Brook, on the A59 at Sawley, has prompted Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans to call for tougher restrictions on the road.

And he believes that the latest tragedy proves his calls for action should be heeded by county council road chiefs.

Mr Whitaker died at around 1.45pm when he collided with a black Ford Focus. Both he and the car were heading in the direction of Clitheroe and his death brings the number killed on the East Lancashire stretch of the A59 to three this year.

Mr Whitaker was born in Baildon, Yorkshire but had lived in Lancashire for the last 40 years. He was a retired businessman and had worked in the motor trade all of his life.

He leaves a partner of 20 years, Sharron Hennessey, 41; daughters Kim Whitaker, 37 and Rachel Whitaker, 32 and his grandchildren, Lilly, three; Jack, seven months and Faith, 18 months.

The latest tragedy follows the death in March of a 34-year-old Blackburn man close to BAE Systems, Samlesbury, and a fatal crash last month close to the Ribchester turn-off which claimed the life of a 59-year-old man from Cleveleys.

Mr Evans has long campaigned for a roundabout at the road's Sabden junction, but said the latest death crash highlighted concerns right along the A59.

He said: "Every accident or injury on the road should be prevented and I believe that the huge sums of money from speed camera fines should be invested in to improving road safety on the A59.

"There are certain points which are extremely dangerous. The crashes at Samlesbury, Ribchester and now Sawley in this year alone have highlighted that fact."

The last decade has seen more than 40 people killed on the A59 and almost 2,000 injured.

And Mr Evans believes the Sawley junction is a particularly dangerous point of the road.

He added: "The council should be spending more money on making dangerous junctions and stretches of road like that one safer."

Lancashire County Council has previously said that there was not enough funding to carry out the work called for by Mr Evans, in particular the roundabout at the Sabden junction.

A statement from Mr Whitaker's family said: "He had always worked as part of the Evans Halshaw Group in both Chorley and Preston, retiring about ten years ago as Managing Director at the Preston Branch. Following his retirement, his passion for the motor trade didn't fade and he soon returned to work part time at Otley Motors (Yorkshire), where he was part owner.

"He was a keep-fit fanatic and was a member of the Virgin Active gym where he would go every day. He was a keen cyclist and runner and regularly cycled in the region of 60 miles. He loved his golf and was a member of Pleasington Golf Club and also was a keen skier.

"He was known for his dry sense of humour and a cheeky grin and he was a generous person who was very organised. He was a very young man at heart and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him."