Marlow Bottom group: action needed on hazardous road

12:24pm Sunday 23rd November 2008

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A RESIDENTS’ association has called for action on an unlit hazardous road - before someone is killed.

A combination of street lights being switched off, no pedestrian footpath and a high speed limit have made Wycombe Road, and the junction at the base of the hill turning right into Marlow Bottom, perilous for drivers and walkers, the householders’ body has said.

Peter Borrows, chairman of Marlow Bottom Residents Association said: “We do have concerns, we recognise the financial pressures on the county we understand why they’ve switched the lights off but it is a particularly hazardous bit of road.

“I think it’s a question of speed as much as lighting and the fact there is no footpath.

“What I’ve said to the county is when the financial situation has improved it needs to give very serious thought to all three issues - to lighting, the speed limit and provision for a footpath.

Pub goers walking home after a night from The Three Horshoes on the hill in Wycombe Road and cylists are particularly and at risk during the winter months he said.

The association believes the 30mph limit should be extended beyond the turning into Marlow Bottom Brewery. Currently, the road is national speed limit - meaning drivers can travel at twice that level.

Mr Borrows said: “It’s a very hazardous situation and we don’t think the county have made the necessary provisions .

“I think if they’re not going to reduce the speed limit they should reinstate the lighting.”

The call for change comes weeks after a fatal accident, in which Zamir Ahmed, 36, a pizza delivery driver was killed. However, the crash with a bus on November 4 happened during daylight.

Mr Borrows said: “Fortunately nobody has been killed yet but I understand there has been some pretty near misses and it’s only a matter of time before someone is. Let’s shut the stable door before the horse has bolted.

“I don’t have a problem with switching lights off as such, but given the hazards and circumstances this is not the right place to do it.”