CUTTING speed limits and improvements have seen an 83 per cent reduction in crashes on the main road between Chelford and Holmes Chapel, says motor insurer Ageas.

A new interactive ‘Dangerous Roads Map’ from Ageas, using analysis from the Road Safety Foundation (RSF), has revealed the most improved road in the north west to be the A535 between the junction with the A537 Chelford Road and the junction with the A50 in Holmes Chapel.

You can explore the riskiest roads in your area using Ageas’ interactive map.

An Ageas spokesman said: “The road has seen an 83 per cent reduction in crashes. This follows the introduction of a number of carriageway improvements along the section, including the reduction of speed limits.”

Ageas and the Road Safety Foundation are calling for an investment of £75 million from the government, and a further £75 million annually for five years thereafter to improve the riskiest roads.

Andy Watson, CEO of Ageas Insurance said: “Each year road crashes don’t just cost lives. They cost society £35 billion – that’s nearly two per cent of GDP and more than we spend on primary education and GP services combined.

“It’s reassuring to see that drivers who use the A535 are experiencing a reduced risk of death or serious injury on this road.

“Our team deals with the devastating aftermaths of serious road crashes every day – we know how critical it is to make our road network safer for every road user, including our customers.

“That’s why we are calling for the Government to re-invest £75 million in the Safer Roads Fund, and continue to do so every year. A reduction in crashes won’t just save lives – it’ll significantly benefit the economy. Fewer crashes mean fewer insurance claims.”

Suzy Charman, Executive Director of the Road Safety Foundation, said: “Progress to reduce the rate of death and serious injury on our roads has flatlined since 2010.

“The Safer Roads Fund has allowed the road safety community to demonstrate that investing in road safety engineering treatments has life-saving potential and stacks up as an investment when compared to other transport initiatives.”

“We need to tackle road casualty reduction with purpose and determination. Continuation of the Safer Roads Fund would be one critical way of achieving that goal.”

Explore the online 2018 Road Crash Map at dangerousroads.ageas.co.uk