A140 checks set to be carried out after two die in Yaxley car accident

Checks are due to be carried out on the A140 after two people were killed in a road accident on Sunday night in Yaxley.

Emergency services responded to an accident just before 8.30pm after a collision involving a car and a HGV.

In the meantime we will have the site checked for the condition of the road and consider whether any works are required to improve the situation

The driver of the HGV received a laceration to their face, while the investigation into the accident continues.

The police are yet to release the names of those who died at the scene.

Suffolk County Councillor James Finch, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “I am very saddened to learn of the loss of two lives on the A140.

“I await the outcome of the Police investigation as to the cause of the crash.

“In the meantime we will have the site checked for the condition of the road and consider whether any works are required to improve the situation.

“However the road between the north end of Yaxley bypass and Brome was surface dressed and relined in the summer of this year. As normal in these circumstances, along with the police, we are reviewing all possible causes”.

Jessica Fleming, County Councillor for Yaxley, said she believed it was a “dangerous” stretch of road, “engineered for quieter times”.

“My reaction was a mixture of great sadness and desire to understand what happened,” she said.

“The combination of slower vehicles, HGVs and cars tend to stack up on the long stretch south of Yaxley, then there are several junctions and a straight section all of which challenge drivers’ judgement.

“The junctions would benefit from clearer marking and visibility and the Brome / A140 junction gets very congested and needs to be upgraded. The staggered Yaxley / Eye junction can be difficult to judge when visibility is poor, clearer road signage may help here in particular.

“I do not believe that lower speed limits would reduce accidents as this could result in more attempts to pass. I regret that the speed camera at Brome was removed. Promoting good driving habits is also important.”

She added Suffolk County Council had commissioned safety reviews of the A140, from around the A143 down to approximately The Stonhams.

Central Suffolk and North Suffolk MP Dr Dan Poulter said: “I was deeply saddened to hear about the tragic accident in Yaxley on a road that many people, including myself, use often.

“As the nights get darker and the winter sets in, it is so important that we all take extra care on the roads whether driving, cycling, riding or walking.

“My thoughts are with the friends and families of all those affected.”