A STRETCH of road has been described as a 'disastrous area' by a coroner at an inquest into the death of a 30-year-old Winsford man.

Jason Baker, of Bedford Rise, was killed on April 11 as he walked home along the A533 Davenham bypass after a night out.

Now Janet Napier, deputy coroner for Cheshire, is set to write to Cheshire County Council highlighting her concerns over the safety of the road.

At the inquest held at Crewe Law Courts on Wednesday, Dr Napier said: "This is a disastrous area to be walking down. It is a terrible incident.

"I have certain powers and I intend to use them so I will be writing to highways.

"There's a possibility of something happening on the road again so they should be looking at it."

The court heard that people regularly walk along the poorly lit road after nights out and concerns were raised that there was no footpath.

PC Patrick Byrne, collision investigator at Cheshire Police, said: "I am quite surprised by the number of people who walk along that road at night. It is certainly a non-pedestrian friendly area."

Mr Baker, who has two children with his partner Amanda Tittensor, died after he was hit by a white Citroen Saxo driven by Philip Oakes, of Fir Tree Close.

Mr Oakes said: "As I came round the bend this black shape appeared in front of me on the passenger side.

"I didn't have time to brake and I wasn't sure what we had hit."

Bryan Walford was driving along the A533 minutes before the incident took place.

He said: "A bus in front of us swerved out and it was then we noticed a figure walking in the bicycle lane.

"He was staggering into the road area."

Dr Napier said: "We must assume that there was a possibility alcohol was affecting him."

A verdict of accidental death resulting from multiple injuries was recorded.

phennessey@guardiangrp.co.uk