CAMPAIGNERS are urging the Government to accelerate plans for improvement work at the A66 Long Newton junction following another fatal accident.

The elderly driver of a Ford Fiesta died last Friday as he attempted to cross the busy dual carriageway through a gap in the central reservation opposite the village.

The man had to be cut from the wreckage of his car by firefighters. A female passenger, who remains in a poorly condition at North Tees Hospital, Stockton, also had to be released.

The couple had travelled from Durham Tees Valley Airport and it is thought that they may have been aiming to cross the westbound carriageway of the A66 to turn east towards Middlesbrough, when the accident happened.

Their Fiesta was in collision with a Vauxhall Astra van in the crash, which happened at the height of Friday evening's rush hour.

The name of the motorist who died and his passenger have not been released. Cleveland police said the van driver was unhurt.

Work is due to begin next autumn on building a new interchange at the site, replacing cross over points which have been the scene of dozens of accidents.

Mike Cherrett, district ward councillor, said the feeling in the village was one of exasperation.

"I would just call on the Highways Agency and the Government ministry to do all they can and speed things up," he said.

There were 35 serious crashes on the A66 outside the village between 1987 and 1992. And in 1985, seven people died in seven months on the dual carriageway between the villages of Sadberge, Long Newton and Elton.

Plans for the junction were unveiled in the Eighties and announced by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in April 2001, but his words were not matched with Government money.

Cleveland police are appealing for witnesses to the incident to call 01642 301558