A ROAD safety campaigner whose daughter was killed in a traffic accident has launched a petition calling for speed limits to be cut on a busy Wirral country road, just weeks after another serious collision.

Peter Mason believes it is only a matter of time before a motorist or pedestrian loses their life in a crash on Brimstage Road, Heswall and has organized a petition calling for speed limits to be reduced. 

It has been signed by more than 300 people.

A driver walked away uninjured after their car was written off as it was hit at the entrance of Brimstage Manor Nursing Home on January 10 while waiting to move onto Brimstage Road.

Mr Mason, whose 14-year-old daughter Sandra died in a traffic accident near Clatterbridge Hospital in 1990, told the Globe: "It's a recipe for a major disaster unless speeds along Brimstage Road are reduced.

"Speed limits from the Glegg Arms roundabout to Heswall Hills and in Brimstage Village have been reduced to 30mph, but the remaining sections of Brimstage Road have 50mph limits, which are causing much concern".

The retired traffic and highways engineer continued: "I have spoken with residents and road users, who have made it clear that they have daily anxieties regarding road safety and speeding vehicles.

"Their unified opinion is that the present 50mph speed limits need to be lowered without delay.

"Only a few weeks ago there was a serious collision in front of Brimstage Manor nursing home.

"Vulnerable road users including pedestrians and cyclists are often hidden from sight due to the geometry of the road and its numerous sharp bends.

"The narrowness of the road means that HGVs, wide vehicles and buses are often forced to position themselves over the central line.

"Vehicles exiting from houses, care homes and farms are forced close to oncoming traffic in both directions to brake sharply".

He added that, in recent years, speed limits on adjacent roads have been reduced; highlighting the A540 Chester High Road, from unrestricted to 40mph, and two sections of Barnston Road, which have been reduced from 40mph to 30mph.

His fears are echoed by Stephanie Williamson, chief administrator at Brimstage Manor Nursing Home.

She told the Globe: "Most of our residents have dementia, and this is a secure unit, so they are quite safe and we never have fears of them wandering out of the building and onto the road.

"Our concern, however, is for the elderly visitors, who find themselves having to negotiate the dangerous road when arriving at and leaving the building.

"The driver of the car involved in the smash at the car park entrance on January 10 was very lucky not to have been injured.

"Next time, it could be a different story, which is why something needs to be done about the speed limit."

Cheryl Templeman, a health care assistant at Brimstage Manor, said: "I cycle to and from work everyday and you really take your life in your hands, as cars just whizz past you.

"I've not seen accident yet, but unless things change there could be one day".

David Rees, road safety manager at Wirral Council, said: "We have met with the petitioners over the issue and have undertaken a number of actions in recent months.

"This includes undertaking a survey of the road and introducing a number of traffic speed advisory measures on the carriageway.

"We are also currently producing a report which will be presented to councillors in the near future.

"This will discuss the issues raised further and possible options ahead."