CONTROVERSY over the safety of the A31 has been re-opened, after the death of a 86-year-old woman at the crossover junction outside the Hen and Chicken public house in Lower Froyle last Thursday.
The accident happened at around 6-10 pm when Mrs Nancy Wykeham attempted to turn right on to the Alton-bound carriageway of the A31 from the Froyle turning.
As she was crossing the Farnham-bound carriageway, her M-reg Rover 200 series was struck side-on by a 7.5-ton delivery lorry.
The Rover was pushed across the central reservation and on to the Alton-bound carriageway, where it was hit by a Fiat Multipla heading towards Alton.
Mrs Wykeham sustained serious chest injuries and died on the way to to Frimley Park Hospital. The driver of the lorry, from Guildford, and the driver of the Multipla, from Alresford, were both unhurt.
The road remained closed for six hours while emergency services dealt with the incident, and traffic was re-routed.
An inquest into the death of Mrs WykehamÕs, who was from the Alton area, is expected in April.
Police would like to hear from any witnesses. Officers would particularly like to speak to Darren Wyeth, a key witness with whom they have lost contact due to a discrepancy with the telephone number provided.
Any witnesses should call Pc Bob Hall at Whitehill Traffic Police on 0845 045 45 45.
One witness to the accident was the landlord of the Hen and Chicken, John Tucker. He said: ÒI was in my upstairs flat when I heard the bang, and looked out of the window to see a car spinning off over the central reservation.
ÒI ran outside and saw the Fiat and ran over to it because I thought that only one car was involved with the lorry, but found it was empty. Then I saw the Rover over near the lorry, and the driver of the Fiat was trying to tend to the lady inside.
ÒThe emergency services turned up after about 10 minutes and took over.Ó
This latest accident has again raised issues of safety on this notorious road junction.
Sgt. Paul Baines of Whitehill Traffic Police said: ÒThe easiest and simplest option would be to close the crossover junction at the Hen and Chicken, but at the end of the day, it is not my decision. That is up to the county council.
ÒThe county council is in consultation with the police, in looking at the best way forward for this particular junction.Ó
Mr Tucker said: ÒThe whole A31 is notorious and something should be done. I took over at the Hen and Chicken about a month ago, and this is the second serious accident I have seen in that time.
ÒI donÕt think that the junction should be closed, because it acts as an artery for the village of Froyle and the Lord Mayor Treloar School.
ÒCrash barriers are needed. Crashes are always going to happen, and at these speeds, cars are sent out of control in all directions. Barriers may not have helped the woman in this case but they wouldÕve stopped the Fiat getting involved.Ó
Hampshire County Council, along with Hampshire Police, are in the process of conducting a feasibility study into the fitting of crash barriers at four sites along the A31, after a succession of serious accidents in recent months.
The location of Thursday nightÕs crash is not one of the sites under review.
A spokesman for Hampshire County Council commented on the progress made to date on the feasibility study, the possibility of installing crash barriers at more sites on the A31, and the future of the Hen and Chicken crossroads junction.
She said: ÒWeÕre aiming to have barriers installed at the four sites identified during the next financial year, 2002/03. A project appraisal will be submitted but we donÕt know exactly when yet.
ÒThere can be many contributory factors for road accidents, and crash barriers will not necessarily prevent them taking place. The county councilÕs safety engineering team will continue to liaise closely with the police to establish the most appropriate course of action to reduce accidents.
ÒClosing the gaps is a contentious issue, particularly for residents, businesses and farmers, but it would be an option to be considered.Ó