THE THIRD accident this year at Durford Road crossroads in Petersfield has proved fatal – and has led to anger that no safety work has been carried out at the notorious accident blackspot.

At about 2.30pm last Thursday (July 23), a black Vauxhall Corsa and silver Vauxhall Astra collided as the Astra was crossing from Heath Road to Durford Road.

As a result, the Astra driven by an 88-year-old Petersfield man overturned.

His 90-year-old woman passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two previous accidents this year resulted in emergency services being called –and all three are just the latest in a historical string of crashes, often inflicting injury, going back years.

Local councillor Julie Butler, East Hampshire District Council and Steve Dewey of Petersfield Town Council say they are determined to make the junction safer.

Cllr Butler said: “I do not know the full circumstances of this incident, but my thoughts are with the family at this sad time.

“This junction is renowned for a long line of incidents which seem to be occurring more regularly in recent times.

“I have been campaigning regarding this junction since 2007.

“In my view the junction is dangerous, with visibility issues, along with non-existent signs.

“I am working with Cllr Rob Mocatta at Hampshire County Council on the best way to address these issues as quickly as we can.

“But the biggest issue is the speed that vehicles travel from Pulens Lane along Heath Road East to Sussex Road.

“Speed has increased more and more over the years, so it is hardly surprising there are now more accidents.

“Councillor grants bought a speed limit regulator which gets moved to different places in Petersfield.

“It then flashes up the speed a vehicle is going to encourage drivers to slow down.

“Early this year councillors also funded the Petersfield Speedwatch start-up, and more than 40 volunteers joined. But then coronavirus happened and we went into lockdown. Now we are waiting for the police to let us start again.

“But it did have impact while it was running. Of course, there were those who stuck to the speed limit, but many did not. Education is key here – perhaps if they thought of losing or injuring a loved one, they might slow down.

“I am working very hard with my fellow town and county councillors to get the best outcome we can.

“This has been going on for long enough now. We need to get this resolved so everyone feels they are safe to go about their business.”