Shop owners have reacted to a fatal road accident that happened near their storefronts.

A man in his 60s died after suffering serious injuries on Royal Wootton Bassett High Street on Thursday in an incident involving a lorry.

Just before Christmas, police appealed for information about a hit-and-run on the same road.

One of the pedestrian crossings is currently out of service due to roadworks.

Mandy and Gabrielle Dus of County Jewellers said: “It was terrible to hear about the man dying – that’s the second accident in three months.

“There’s such a big gap between the crossings. People pop out between the parked cars, and drivers go down here at such speeds, it’s not safe.

“Reversing out of the parking spaces is difficult, too.”

One shop owner who wished to remain anonymous said: “It’s awful that the man lost his life.

“We only have one set of pedestrian traffic lights for the whole High Street at the moment. That’s going to make people cross the road at the wrong points, it’s hard for them to know where is safe.

“People need to be careful because it’s a main through-road for lorries.”

Another anonymous shop employee added: “It’s very sad. Maybe the driver couldn’t see the pedestrian, there are a lot of hazards on this street at the moment.”