A CORONER'S advice to improve safety on a historic Suffolk square after a fatal accident has not been acted upon, it has been revealed.

Will Clarke

A CORONER'S advice to improve safety on a historic Suffolk square after a fatal accident has not been acted upon, it has been revealed.

Suffolk Coroner Dr Peter Dean first raised concerns about the safety of Angel Hill in Bury St Edmunds at the inquest into the death of Jean McGeoch , 67.

His comments triggered a number of meetings between the borough council and PC Adam Williams of the serious collision investigation team, who had examined the incident.

However, 18 months after the accident, the views of the crash investigator and Dr Dean had not resulted in any fresh measure.

Mrs McGeoch died crossing the road after she was hit by a Range Rover coming out of the parking area on the hill.

At the inquest Suffolk Coroner Dr Dean found no suggestion the driver, a retired policeman, was at fault for what happened.

And he read witness testimony at the inquest that demonstrated the pensioner had looked both ways before making the crossing.

But the 4x4 was obscured by parked cars; coming from the direction of the war memorial in front of the council offices and turning towards the direction of the cathedral, catching Mrs McGeoch unawares at a crossing point.

Dr Dean said the 67-year-old, who had been in town to do some shopping, had been suffering from poor health and died five days after the accident from complications brought on by the impact.

In conclusion Dr Dean said he would be asking for attention to be paid to the area from the perspective of road safety, which triggered meetings between the borough council and PC Adam Williams.

However, a spokeswoman for St Edmundsbury, said: “This was a tragic accident and as a result we worked with the police to review pedestrian safety on the Angel Hill, which has a 20mph speed limit and a clearly marked crossing point.

“Following a careful study it was decided that there was no further action we needed to take.”