SAFETY improvements to an accident blackspot in Winsford that has claimed the lives of four people in the past three years will be carried out on Saturday.

The news that the junction of the A54 Oakmere Road with St John's Drive and Mount Pleasant Drive will be closed has been met with relief by town councillors.

Clr Peter Gannon, who has campaigned to get the junction closed, said: "It is great news but I think it has come too late.

"It is only an experimental closure but I don't think it should be in doubt as to whether it is made permanent.

"It has only been through the pressure of councillors that this has happened because I still don't think officers at the borough council want it closed."

The experimental closure announced by Cheshire County Council will allow information to be collected from residents before deciding whether to close the junction permanently.

But Clr Des Worthington believes it is essential the junction is closed for good.

He said: "In my opinion there should be no considering whether the gap should be closed. It should be permanently closed to reduce the fatalities which have occurred there in the past."

Concerns were raised about the safety of the junction by Cheshire Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg at an inquest into the death of 66-year-old Peter Hughes in February.

Dr Rheinberg wrote to Cheshire County Council 'questioning the wisdom' of allowing cars to cross the carriageway.

County councillor Tony Hooton said: "The experimental closure will restrict traffic flow across the main road by closing off the access point.

"It is pleasing that we will get the junction closed off before Christmas and we will look at closing it permanently once the experimental period is over."