A CALL for a lower speed limit and flashing warning lights has been made after a serious accident brought gridlock to Devizes.

Two air ambulances were called to Dunkirk Hill at about 8.45am on Friday after a pedestrian was hit by a car. He was given extensive medical attention by the side of the road before being airlifted to Southmead Hospital, Bristol with extensive injuries.

A police spokesman said: "He remains in Southmead Hospital with serious injuries, including severe injuries to his leg."

A green Volkswagen Golf was involved in the accident just a few years from the former Queens Head pub but the driver was unhurt. The front nearside windscreen was smashed and it remained at the side of the road for a number of hours as police investigate.

Police have appealed for dash-cam footage of the accident.

Diana Savory, who lives at Dunkirk House close to the accident scene, said she and her husband Robert take their lives into their hands every time they leave their driveway to join Dunkirk Hill.

Mrs Savory, who has lived in the house for 15 years, said: "The traffic has become much worse. There are a lot of big lorries and agricultural vehicles going to the Biomass plant in Bromham.

"A lot of the traffic comes thundering along at a high speed. We really need a 30MPH speed limit on the whole stretch from Devizes to Rowde. I think the flashing warning lights which give you your speed would also help to slow traffic down.

"We are going to put in large mirrors at the exit of our house we have become so worried about the dangers of pulling out."

Mrs Savory said another accident happened earlier last week when a car went out of control and ended up in a hedge.

She said: "A year or so ago the council resurfaced the road, which was badly rutted, effectively turning it into a race track. On occasion I have signalled to drivers to slow down mainly to be greeted with very rude responses.

"The problem is compounded by the number of concealed entrances to houses each side of the road.

"Friday’s accident was one just waiting to happen, as I suspect all we residents fear."

Devizes traffic problems were worsened on Friday when a second accident happened at Caen Hill in the late afternoon involving two cars but there were no serious injuries.