A SOMERSET MP is to meet with senior police figures and council officers to discuss possible improvements to the A361 after a spate of fatal crashes.
The A361 Frome bypass, which lies at the eastern edge of the town, has been the scene of three deaths in the last nine months – the most recent being on Monday, April 8.
Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome, has requested a meeting with senior figures from Somerset Council and Avon and Somerset Constabulary to see what improvements can be made to the road.
The most recent fatal crash on the Frome bypass occurred at around 11pm on Monday (April 8) at the junction with the A362 Rodden Road, when a silver Mercedes C220 AMG collided with a silver Volkswagen Golf. The driver and sole occupant of the Golf, a woman in her twenties, died at the scene.
A police spokesman said: “While formal identification has yet to take place, her next of kin have been informed and will be supported by a specialist family liaison officer.
“A man in his fifties, the sole occupant of the Mercedes, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, drink driving and drug driving. Following a medical assessment at the scene, he was taken into police custody, where he remains.”
Anybody with dashcam, CCTV or other footage, or any information about the circumstances leading to the collision, are asked to call police on 101 with crime reference.
The Frome bypass is one of the busiest roads in Somerset, carrying traffic in and around Frome as well as lorries from the numerous quarries to the west and serving as a main link to the neighbouring town of Trowbridge.
Ms Dyke said: “The Frome bypass is riddled with black spots along its entire length. Three lives have been lost on this stretch of road within nine months and that simply can’t continue.
“I’m demanding an urgent meeting with Somerset Council to discuss how we can work together with stakeholders to design a set of principles and policies aimed at eliminating serious injuries and fatalities on the A361 specifically, but also across the county’s road network.”
In addition to the dangers for motorists, large sections of the A361 have no pavement or safe refuge for pedestrians.
The Frome Missing Links project has been looking at delivering a safe active travel route from the Edmund Park estate under the road and railway line, linking up with national cycle network route 24 towards Longleat.
Somerset Council said its highways officers would gladly meet with Ms Dyke but cautioned about making hasty decisions in light of an ongoing police investigation.
A spokesman said: “Clearly this is a tragic incident and before we rush to any conclusions we will need to await the outcome of the police investigation, which is ongoing.
“Following five deaths in this area since 2019, we have arranged to meet with the local MP and Avon and Somerset Police to discuss how we might raise awareness and improve road safety in the area.”