Safety improvements made at death crash junction

Safety improvements have been made at a junction where a mum-of-three was killed in a crash.

John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, voiced his concern after opening an inquest into the death Emma Jane Hill, who died after a collision on April 6.

He issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report to Wrexham council over his fears of the lay-out and speed limit on the A534 at Holt and warned more people could be killed.

Ms Hill, 43, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, was a enger on a motorbike heading along the A534 which collided with a Mercedes car which emerged from the road into Holt.

Though the full inquest is yet to be held, Mr Gittins expressed concern about visibility at the junction for vehicles turning right towards Wrexham as the view could be obscured by signs or vehicles slowing to turn into the village.

He also said the fact the speed limit changed from 40mph to 60mph (65km/h to 95km/h) meant vehicles would be picking up speed, creating an added risk.

"It is also my understanding that there have been previous collisions in this vicinity in the past," he wrote.

He has now had a response from Wrexham council which said talks had been held about reducing the speed limit with colleagues from Cheshire West and Chester council as Holt borders the two counties.

It also said the junction would "benefit from some minor alterations and we have already raised the sign on the junction to improve visibility".