HIGHWAYS bosses today gave hope to campaigners fighting for safety improvements along a notorious stretch of the A12.

HIGHWAYS bosses today gave hope to campaigners fighting for safety improvements along a notorious stretch of the A12.

A recent spate of accidents - including one involving a marked police car - on the trunk road at Stratford St Mary and East Bergholt has prompted councillors to make fresh calls for new safety measures.

The short slip roads from the two Suffolk villages on to the A12 coupled with ever increasing volumes of traffic roaring along the carriageway are being blamed for crashes in the area.

Suffolk Liberal Democrats are now leading calls for swift action, including improving the junctions and introducing a 50mph restriction in the area.

However, the Highways Agency had promised it has begun an assessment into the stretch of carriageway.

Sue Carpendale, a Babergh district councillor for Mid Samford, which covers Stratford St Mary, said: “Nearly every week there seem to be one or more accidents on the A12 between Stratford St Mary and East Bergholt.

“It is essential that the �120 million earmarked for improvements to the A12 includes measures to make this road safer.

“It is really frightening to be on that road sometimes. There have been literally hundreds of accidents.”

Kathy Pollard, leader of the Suffolk Lib Dems, added: “There are far too many accidents here and we will continue to put pressure on the Highways Agency to take action.

“I am disappointed that they don't engage with local councillors and tell them what actions they are proposing to take.”

A Highways Agency spokesman said improvements for the area could be on the horizon.

He said: “Consultants for the Highways Agency are currently looking at a number of options for safety improvements on the A12 around Stratford St Mary and East Bergholt.

“They will be reporting back to the Highways Agency before the summer after which the Highways Agency will consider the options and make a decision.”

Should improvements be made to the stretch of the A12? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk