A campaign to make a Suffolk road safer has taken on renewed urgency after two teenagers were killed in a crash.
A man and a woman, both in their late teens, died on Sunday, October 18, after a two-car crash on Debenham Road in Little Stonham.
The crash involved a red Peugeot 107 and a silver Volkswagen Passat; the Peugeot passenger died at the scene, while its driver later died in hospital and the Passat occupants suffered minor injuries.
The tragedy comes as locals continue a long-running campaign to reduce the road's 60mph speed limit to 40mph, amid concerns about traffic levels and its safety.
Some 22,400 vehicles use the road each week, including slow-moving farm vehicles, HGVs and buses.
Simon Oldfield, a spokesman for the Cut it to 40 group, said: "This country lane is now a commuter rat run between the A140 and Stowmarket.
"Big housing developments and Gateway 14 have doubled traffic in recent years."
Including Sunday’s crash, there have now been seven recorded injury accidents on the road in the past three years.
The Cut it to 40 group sent a report to Suffolk County Council last Friday, two days before the crash, highlighting concerns including that the carriageway is two metres narrower than the Department for Transport’s recommendation for mixed traffic.
Mr Oldfield said: "Residents are deeply saddened by reports of deaths in Sunday's accident in Debenham Road. Their thoughts are with the families and friends of those involved.
"Unfortunately, residents fear more deaths are inevitable if their long-running campaign to reduce the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph is not approved by Suffolk County Council."
Suffolk County Council said it was not yet known whether speed was a contributing factor and that it would not prejudge the outcome of the police investigation.
A spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this incredibly tragic incident.
“We work closely with Suffolk Police and are preparing a report on the speed limit at this location.”
Mr Oldfield said the campaign has been supported by county councillor Matthew Hicks but said the council had "largely dismissed" the scheme saying it did "not meet the standards for speed reductions".
He added: "Highways needs a fundamental rethink to address this important road safety issue."
A county council spokesman said a report will be considered by the relevant teams and any recommendations will be shared with the local county councillor and the parish council.
However, until the police investigation concludes it is not known if speed was a contributing factor or not and will not prejudge any recommendations.
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