MORE than 250 people have signed a petition calling for road safety improvements on the A69.

Campaigners want the speed limit on the trunk road to be reduced from 60mph to 40mph past Bardon Mill and Henshaw.

They also want average speed cameras installed at two junctions leading from the A69 into the neighbouring villages.

The Bardon Mill and Henshaw Action Group, which was established in October last year, has now forwarded 254 signatures from local residents to the Department for Transport.

Group spokesman Martin Gaughan said: “We are pleased with the response because out of the 256 people we surveyed, 254 were in favour of our proposed improvements on the A69.”

The new petition adds more weight to longstanding campaigns by parish councils in Bardon Mill and Henshaw, and nearby Melkridge.

The A69 has been plagued with fatalities over the years, and the formation of the new action group followed a double tragedy in the area last September.

Mr Gaughan said: “We strongly believe that reducing the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph for a mile-long stretch will make it a lot safer.

“There are a lot of junctions in the area. There’s a garage and a cafe, while farmers and other local residents need to cross the road.

“There have been well-publicised deaths on the A69, but the Government must realise that there are near misses out there every day.”

The petition has also been sent to Hexham’s MP Guy Opperman, who is keen to see the trunk road made dual carriageway between Hexham and Carlisle.

In addition to dualling, Mr Opperman is also pushing for average speed cameras in the Bardon Mill and Henshaw area, and is hopeful they could be installed by the spring of this year.

In December, Mr Opperman met Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to press for improvements on the A69.

Mr Gaughan added: “We would all like to see the road dualled, but any scheme to do that would take time.

“We believe safety improvements need to be done in the meantime.”