A week before speed reduction comes into force, second cyclist killed on Surrey road

A cyclist has been killed on a section of road at West Byfleet in Surrey just a week after the speed limit there was due to be reduced following a similar fatality at the same location.

John Austin, aged 57, died in hospital after being involved in a collision with a vehicle on the A245 Parvis Road at 7.45pm on Sunday evening. Police have arrested two men, one aged 35, the other 20, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop after an accident, reports the BBC.

Last October, Joel Semmens was killed as he rode his bike on the same stretch of road just three days before his 18th birthday. While speeding was not considered an issue in that case, his death did result in Surrey County Council deciding to reduce the speed limit along the road where the fatal accident took place.

Last week, 31-year-old Hannah James of Putney, London, was sentenced to 100 hours unpaid work after being charged with failure to stop after an accident and driving a vehicle with an unsuitable tyre.

She also had ten points put on her licence and was fined £85 costs. During the trial, the court was told that neither speed not alcohol were factors in the accident, and that Ms James turned herself in after realising the extent of damage to her vehicle.

The court was also told that there was insufficient evidence to bring a charge of dangerous driving, reports the Get Bracknell website.

Local Liberal Democrat councillor Will Forster wrote on his blog: “the speed limit along Parvis Road should have been lowered sometime ago but as a result of budget cuts at Surrey County Council and then due to electrical problems altering the signs – the change will not come into force until 1st June – sadly way too late.”