MORE than 1,600 people have signed a petition calling for a junction on a busy road to be made safer after a deadly crash.

The Freke Arms landlord Dave Longman began putting together the petition after witnessing a horrific accident at the Hannington turn-off along the B4019.

A 47-year-old man driving a Piaggio scooter died at the scene after a collision involving the scooter and a Lexus.

Mr Longman then told the Adver that this was the third serious crash he had seen on the junction in three years as his pub looks out onto the 50mph road which connects Highworth and the A419.

In less than a week, his petition received a surge of support from people urging the borough council to consider adding warning signs to make the junction more visible or traffic calming measures, like a speed bump or even a roundabout, to help prevent future fatalities.

Mr Longman said: “I’m going to carry on until something is done about it, I want to take this to the next level.

“It went mad, there was 150 in the first hour, 1,000 when I went to bed and 1,600 when I woke up, and it’s still going.

“This shows how much people care, now the council need to act on it. Even doing something simple like cutting the grass in the middle island would make a big difference because it blocks visibility, you can’t see the traffic coming the other way when you’re turning.

“We are putting together a physical version in the pub and going door-to-door to raise awareness.

“The family of the man who died came over to the pub and they could see what it was like on that junction, how fast people go, it’s sad.”

Coun Kevin Parry is the council’s cabinet member for transport.

He said: “I have spoken to highways officers and asked them to investigate and see if any safety measures can be put in place.

“I was not aware of any complaints about the road before, though it does not surprise me that there were previous concerns.

“We need to look at the accident and find out what happened and how, then see what can be done.”

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “Our investigation continues. If you have any information regarding the collision, please call 101 and quote log number 103 of Wednesday June 2.”