By Liz HearnshawRESIDENTS have stepped up their calls for more safety measures on their village's roads after a boy was left in a critical condition following an accident.

By Liz Hearnshaw

RESIDENTS have stepped up their calls for more safety measures on their village's roads after a boy was left in a critical condition following an accident.

Withersfield residents will meet highways officials from Suffolk County Council tomorrow to discuss their safety concerns after a 13-year-old cyclist was involved in a collision with a car in the village's Church Road.

The boy, who suffered serious head injuries in Sunday's accident, was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where his condition was described yesterday as "critical, but stable".

Tom Mytton-Mills, chairman of Withersfield Parish Council, said: "We are talking to Suffolk County Council about getting the speed limit reduced to 40mph between Haverhill and Withersfield as it is a tiny, narrow road with blind bends and the current 60mph limit is too fast.

"This may also slow down traffic coming into the village. We are also trying to get white, picket fences put up as you enter the village, which is said to have a reasonable effect on slowing traffic."

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said one of its traffic management engineers was going to meet members of the Withersfield Parish Council to discuss various traffic issues.

These included the speed limit between Withersfield and Haverhill and revisions to waiting restrictions near Meldham Bridge.

"Any changes to the speed limit will be assessed by the safety team and both Withersfield Parish Council and the county councillor will be informed of the outcome," said the spokesman.

n Suffolk police charged last night a 25-year-old man in relation to the collision with the teenage cyclist in Church Road, Withersfield.

Darrell Greenaway, of Westley Road, Bury St Edmunds, was charged with failing to stop at a road traffic accident, failing to report a road traffic accident, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

He was released on bail and is due to appear before St Edmundsbury magistrates on Thursday.

Police also released from custody two other men who were arrested in connection with the incident and they will face no further action.

liz.hearnshaw@eadt.co.uk