A WOMAN has died on one of Britain's most notorious stretch of roads as the county's roads claim another life.The fatality is the third in four days in west Suffolk and takes the death toll on the county's roads to 56, making 2003 one of the worst years for road deaths in the last 15 years.

A WOMAN has died on one of Britain's most notorious stretch of roads as the county's roads claim another life.

The fatality is the third in four days in west Suffolk and takes the death toll on the county's roads to 56, making 2003 one of the worst years for road deaths in the last 15 years.

The motorist, who has not been named but is believed to be from the Elveden area, died after her green Rover was in collision with a Citroen Berlingo van yesterday morning on the A11 between Icklingham and Eriswell.

The accident has led to fresh calls from campaigners to have the stretch dualled – a fight that has lasted years against a road that has claimed more than 70 lives in 20 years .

In 2001, highway bosses received hundreds of letters supporting plans for a dual carriageway between the Fiveways roundabout at Barton Mills and the Thetford bypass.

But they were told work would not start until at least 2005 and west Suffolk MP Richard Spring has been among those who has consistently lobbied for more answers.

Forest Heath district councillor Robert Newman, whose ward covers the blackspot, said: "That junction is horrendous, you take your life into your own hands when you cross it.

"This is an absolutely tragedy and my condolences go out to that poor woman's family. But words are almost meaningless when these accidents happen so often.

"I just wish the Government would spend more motorists' taxes on road safety issues."

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene having been cut free from her vehicle by firecrews from Mildenhall, Brandon and Newmarket. The driver of the van received slight injuries.

Sgt Dave Griffiths, from Bury Traffic Unit, said: "Although it was wet and dark, there is no suggestions the weather conditions played any part in the accident."

The latest tragedy comes just days after two people died in separate accidents just three miles apart on the A1101.

On ThursdayAubrey Buddle, 78, from West Row, died after his pedal cycle was in collision with a Citroen Saxo at Beck Row, near Mildenhall.

Four hours later, a man from Norfolk in his early 20s from Norfolk was killed when the Ford Ka he was driving was in collision with a Transit van at Sedge Fen.

The accidents bring the total number of road deaths to 56 – the same as 2000 – making 2003 the second worst for fatalities since 1990. There were 43 fatalities last year.

Anyone with information about the Icklingham accident should contact Suffolk police on 01284 774153.