Motorcyclist killed on Hampshire road

10:00am Monday 15th September 2008

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By Ash Bolton »

ONE of Hampshire’s most deadly roads has claimed yet another victim.

A 51-year-old motorcyclist is the latest person to be killed in a crash on the A326 on the Waterside.

The man from Hythe was riding his Suzuki south along the Marchwood bypass when he was in collision with a Volvo car coming out of Twiggs Lane.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

It comes just three weeks after an 11-year-old schoolgirl and her stepdad were killed in a motorbike accident on the same road.

Terry Stubbs, 29, and his stepdaughter Channon died at the scene after the motorbike they were travelling on collided with a car near Dibden Purlieu. Their funeral took place just last week.

A 73-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and bailed until October 24.

The latest accident took place at 10pm on Saturday.

The occupants of the Volvo were not injured in the collision.

The male driver, 52, from Teddington, Middlesex, is helping police with their inquiries.

Officers investigating the tragedy are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with any information should contact the Totton roads policing unit quoting Operation Dennison on 0845 045 4545.

Hampshire highway chiefs have already vowed to hold an inquiry into the A326 after calls for the safety of the route to be reviewed following the double death last month.

A spokesman from Hampshire County Council said: “As with any fatal accident or accident resulting in serious injury, we do investigate, but we cannot carry out our investigations until the police have concluded theirs.

“Our road safety officers will be looking into it and assessing what safety measures would be appropriate.”

Brian Dash, councillor for Hythe and Dibden, said: “I think we have got to look very closely at this road.

“Something like double white lines may help. But you cannot make any sensible suggestions until we have seen a report of the accident.”

Fawley councillor Alexis McEvoy said: “A lot of people are calling for a dual carriageway but my feelings are that it would encourage more people to go faster.

“The road needs to be looked at – engineers need to assess the problem and report back so that the public know what they are thinking.”

The road is used by 20,000 vehicles a day and is often at a standstill during rush hour periods.

However it is plagued by speeding drivers when traffic is lighter.

Pedestrians have also fallen victim while crossing the A326, which runs between junction 2 of the M27 at Ower and Fawley.

Schoolboy Ryan Crouch, 11, pensioner Frank Harrison, 83, and mother-of-two Kathleen Gundre, 61, have all lost their lives in accidents on the road in the past four years.