A MOTHER who has spent almost 25 years campaigning for traffic lights to be installed at a dangerous junction in Neston after the death of her son is stepping up the fight.

Pauline Fielding, from Heswall, wants to see lights placed at the junction of Raby Park Road and the A540 Chester High Road, the same location where son Andrew lost his life in 1994.

He was driving along Chester High Road when forced to swerve his Vauxhall Astra to avoid a Volvo which cut across his path at the junction of Raby Park Road.

As he swerved, the 18-year-old’s vehicle hit a car travelling behind. He died instantly. The driver of the other car involved has never been traced.

In November Neston Town Council learned about the dangers of the junction in letters from two residents, suggesting the need for an overhaul at the junction.

It led to a kerb realignment at the junction of Raby Park Road which has since been completed by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The speed limit on the A540 between Raby Park Road and Lees Lane will also remain the same after a council review found the limit was ‘most appropriate’ for that location.

But Cllr Karen Shore, Cheshire West & Chester Council cabinet member for environment said traffic lights at this junction were "unfortunately not an option at this moment in time".

Mrs Fielding told the Globe: "We are so thankful to all those who have supported our long-standing campaign to make A540 Chester High Road safer and in particular its junction with Raby Park Road, where our son Andrew was killed 24 years ago in a crash caused by a driver who did not stay at the scene and who was never traced.

"We had long recognised the dangers of the junction long before Andrew died and we always avoided turning there."

Mrs Fielding, who is a member of road safety charity RoadPeace and organises the annual service of remembrance for those who have died or been injured on our roads, continued: "It is incredible that 24 years after his death the junction is still dangerous and awaiting traffic lights.

"It is especially important that the junction is improved to protect all those travelling to and from nearby Neston High School, the newly refurbished recreation centre and the houses beyond.

"We were pleased that minor improvements were planned for the junction, but disappointed to see that the road widening earlier this year did not solve the problems of school buses and other large vehicles having to mount the kerb to turn from Chester High Road into Raby Park Road.

"We trust funding can be found at the earliest opportunity for traffic lights at the junction, linked to traffic lights at other junctions on A540.

"This will help to ensure the safety of everyone who uses this busy junction.

"We will continue to campaign until this is achieved."

Independent Cheshire West and Chester councillor for Parkgate, Martin Barker added his support for the campaign in December, raising the issue of road improvements during a full council meeting.

He said: "I did so because I understand her determination that no other family should suffer the misery of the loss of a loved one that she experienced when her son was killed at the Raby Park Road junction with the A540 in 1994.

"The A540 is a vital link between Neston and Parkgate and many places of work, education and leisure.

"So, it is essential that it is fit for purpose, and that includes it being safe and effective for ALL road users – lorries, cars, buses, cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians.

"I have continued to work with all parties concerned, and especially with Cheshire West and Chester Council and I think the latest development represents an important step towards achieving our goal – which is most timely, given the continuing catalogue of crashes and delays on the road.

"This marks significant progress in recognising the importance of the A540, and I remain determined to secure an absolute commitment to improvement before June 2019, when Mrs Fielding’s campaign is a quarter of a century old."

Cllr Karen Shore, Cheshire West & Chester Council cabinet member for environment continued: "A scheme of this nature would cost in the region of £1m as it would also involve the upgrade of the traffic signals at both the Hinderton Road and Liverpool Road junctions, either side of the Raby Park Road junction, to improve traffic flow and avoid further congestion.

"The Council has made submissions to a Government consultation for it to be included in the Major Road Network and is still trying to explore avenues for external funding, but at this stage is not in a position to be able to make further changes to the junction."