TOWNSPEOPLE are being urged to sign an e-petition calling for a review of the 60 speed limit on a stretch of road which has seen three fatal crashes.

The call comes from Cllr James Power, who fears Manchester Road in Knutsford will see more collisions unless urgent action is taken to improve safety on the road.

The most recent fatal collision, on March 28, involved father-of-two Ian Glanister, 29, from St Helens.

Mr Glanister died at the scene after his motorbike was in collision with a car next to the Cottons Hotel. The fatal crash was the third on that stretch of the A50 in the past four years.

The call for the speed limit to be reduced has won the support of Tatton MP Esther McVey, who is also urging people wanting the limit cut to sign the e-petition.

Cllr Power is a member of Knutsford Town Council, and said: “Urgent action needs to be taken to ensure the speed limit is reduced and this matter is treated as a priority.

“This busy road is clearly unsafe and has been of concern for some time.

“Along with a speed reduction this stretch of road needs a full review by highways engineers to ensure it is fit for purpose.”

Knutsford Guardian:

Floral tributes at the scene of the fatal crash on March 28

Miroslaw Chlap, a chef at Cottons, died in 2016 after being hit by a car outside the hotel as he cycled home after work, and a motorcyclist died in 2015 after being involved in a collision with a car outside Fryer’s Garden Centre.

Cllr Power added: “My fear is that more collisions will occur unless urgent action is taken to improve safety on this road.

“I have lived in Knutsford for just under 10 years, and have written to our MP, Esther McVey, over my concerns about this road.

“I have signed the e-petition on the Cheshire East website, and would encourage as many people as possible to do the same to build awareness about the road safety issues we have around the town.

“I witnessed a collision outside Fryer’s Garden Centre in September last year, which I found deeply distressing. The incident was reported to the council and handled by the police.”

Ms McVey said: "I fully support calls for the speed limit on Manchester Road to be reduced.

"There have been three fatalities in four years at the location, and action is needed now to ensure no more lives are lost.

"I have written to Cheshire East Council setting out my support for a reduction in the speed limit and asking whether there are any plans for safety measures to be introduced.

"I would encourage everyone who wants the speed limit reduced to make their views clear by supporting the e-petition."

The e-petition was started by Knutsford resident Allan McNicol, a long-standing member of the spa at Cottons Hotel, and runs until May 3.

In the first day after going live the e-petition was signed by 225 people.

To sign the e-petition go to moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/mgEPetitionListDisplay.aspx, and scroll down to the Manchester Road petition

The e-petition states: "We, the undersigned, petition the council to review the speed limit on the section of A50 Manchester Road outside Cottons Hotel and Fryers Garden centre.

"In the past four years there have been three separate fatal accidents on this stretch of road, the most recent being on March 28, 2019."