THE safety of the cross roads on the A338 leading to Great Bedwyn has been called into question after four people were taken to hospital following a serious car accident last week.

The concerns of parish councillors are coming to the fore once again after a black Hyundai i10 and a silver Ford Galaxy collided at the crossroads between Great Bedwyn and Oxenwood at around 4.10pm on Friday (July 28).

The collision was so serious that the roof of the Hyundai had to be removed and as such, the driver was air lifted to Southmead Hospital. The driver and passenger of the Ford were also taken to Southmead by ambulance. A 15-year-old passenger was also taken to the Bristol Children's Infirmary.

The A338, which has a speed limit of 60mph, has been called into question by both Shalbourne Parish Council and Wiltshire Councillor Stuart Wheeler, who witnessed the aftermath of the crash on his way home from London.

"I drive that road infrequently and I actually witnessed the aftermath of this one and saw the air ambulance," Coun Wheeler said. "I would have thought the main problem would be the speed and I as I keep telling people in my area, the 60mph is a limit not a target."

Shalbourne Parish Council, who asked Pewsey Vale to reassess the junction between Shalbourne and Bedwyn due to highway concerns, have followed up their request to include a review of the Oxenwood junction following the serious crash.

"The A338 goes up and down and if you go to pull out onto it from one of the junctions, you are essentially going in blind," Mike Lockhart, clerk of Shalbourne Parish Council, said. "We have raised those concerns about the Shalbourne and Bedwyn junction with Pewsey Vale and recently we extended that request to the Bedwyn and Oxenwood junction where the accident happened.

"Something needs to be done, whether it is to the speed limit or to something else."

Police are appealing for information about last Friday's crash, and anyone who may have seen or heard anything are being asked to call PC Alan King or Jay Clifton of the Tri Force Police on 101 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.