FOLLOWING another tragic fatal crash on A303, South Somerset’s MP has reiterated calls to the road to run as a dual carriage through the district.

Emergency services rushed to the scene on August 19.

A woman in her 60s died after the two car crash near Horton, and another three people were rushed to hospital.

Following the crash, a police spokesman said: “We’re appealing for witnesses following a serious collision on the A303 near Ilminster.

“At about 8.10am a red Hyundai i10 and a silver Ford Fiesta were involved in a collision.

“We’d like to speak to anyone who may have seen the incident or the cars beforehand.”

People should call 101 and quote log 299 of August 19.

Now, Marcus Fysh, has repeated his previous calls for A303 to be turned into a dual carriageway across South Somerset.

The local MP is also campaigning for interim safety measures on the Ilminster Bypass, particularly to make it less likely for vehicles to drift across the centre line which has been a cause of several head-on accidents.

He said: “Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the victim of this crash.

“In terms of road safety, nothing is gained by speculating but where patterns do emerge and steps can be taken to help then we must make sure this happens.

“I have been pushing for safety measures on the Ilminster Bypass for some time now and am encouraged that these look likely to be in place next year.”

Plans for A303 near Sparkford have entered statutory planning phase after the preferred dualling route was chosen after consultation.

Work is scheduled to start in March 2020.

The Stonehenge tunnel section is due to have its preferred route, which has been chosen, announced shortly.

It is on track to have its ground works started in March or April 2021.

The A358 section between Ilminster and Taunton is planned to be next, but will start its works after Taunton Deane and Somerset County Council have completed business park works at Junction 25, due to start in March 2020, and M5 north of Taunton has had works to improve all year round flow and safety in 2021.

Mr Fysh added: “I am pushing for work to follow straight on from the A358 dualling, to grade separation of the Southfields roundabout at Ilminster, and full dualling of the Ilminster bypass.

“There is time to get this (A358 dualling) right at the southern end given it won’t start till at least 2022.

“The schedule of those works and the rest of the A303 to the east of Ilminster should be announced in what is known as Road Investment Strategy 2, the next 5 year plan for our strategic roads, which is currently in discussion with Ministers.”