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Farmer warns of crash risk from subsidence on Wiltshire road

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 14:14 · Archive

A Wiltshire farmer has warned that serious subsidence on a bend of the A3102 could put motorists at risk of losing control of their vehicles.

Lance Beale, a 76-year-old farmer at Wyatts Lake Farm near Westbrook, has warned that serious subsidence and cracked tarmac on the A3102 at Sandridge Hill, between Melksham and Calne, poses a significant safety risk to motorists.

Mr Beale, who regularly uses the road, claims that drivers travelling at more than 35 to 40mph around the bend risk being thrown offline by the uneven surface and could be pushed into the path of oncoming traffic. He says he was nearly thrown off the road himself. He believes the danger is particularly acute for those driving at 50 to 60mph.

'There is serious damage to the road at the top of Sandridge Hill when you are going around the bend,' he said. 'If you are going at more than 40mph you won't make it. People driving at 50 to 60mph face serious danger if they are thrown into the path of an oncoming vehicle. They could die.'

Mr Beale warns that drivers travelling too quickly around the bend could be thrown violently around inside their vehicles. 'You can bounce your head off the roof,' he said. 'You will be thrown from one side of the road to the other.'

So concerned is Mr Beale about the hazard that he has considered sitting beside the road in an armchair with a red flag to warn motorists to slow down. He has reported the subsidence and cracked tarmac to Wiltshire Council's highways department.

Farmer warns of crash risk from subsidence on Wiltshire road
Image: Gazette & Herald

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How it is being reported

In this story: Lance Beale · Wyatts Lake Farm · Westbrook · A3102 · Sandridge Hill · Melksham · Calne · Wiltshire Council

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