A1079 accident 16th Jan 2008

The awful crash at Wilberfoss on the 16th January once more raises so many questions. This is not the first crash at this place on the road and, unless something is done, is unlikely to be the last. There is likely to be a continuing risk of harm to people using the road. We should not forget that the speed limit on the A1079 at that point is 60mph - a closing speed for a head on crash of 120mph. And yet it is unrealistic to reduce the speed limit as this is the main road from York, one of this country's favourite tourist cities, to Hull, the largest port complex in the North of England. It is important, therefore, to look at alternative solutions. East Riding of Yorkshire Council must have a duty (and a duty of care) in this regard. Making the A1079 safe should be the top transport priority for York, East Riding and Hull Councils.

The sheer level of emergency response was awesome. Police, Fire, Ambulance (including the underfunded Air Ambulance) and the RAF were all called upon. The cost must be enormous - not just the actual cost of the response, but the cost of maintaining that capability. How much better to spend our money to prevent accidents rather than to respond to them.

Then there is the absolute inconvenience for everyone in Wilberfoss and all the other road users. How many businesses were affected as the road was closed ensuring that even those who had left in good time were unable to meet deadlines? If our region is to be sustainable, it needs to be economically sustainable and these events impact on the ability to encourage new business into the area.

Even if it is found that the cause is driver error, roads must be designed to allow for human error. There is, literally, no room for error at the moment on the A1079.

I would ask all those who, like us, want to see improvements to the A1079 for road safety, economic, social or other reasons to write or email their local councillors and MPs so that we can try to find ways of stopping the carnage and allowing our region to prosper from improved transport access.

You can also contact us via our website at www.a1079.org . We welcome all views, even if they disagree with us!! This is the issue of the moment and a healthy local debate is vital.

Grahame Hicks

Chairman, Action-Access-A1079