A HUSBAND is calling for extra traffic calming measures on a notorious Moors road after numerous serious accidents, one of which involved his wife.

Norman Wood lives at Lockwood Beck Reservoir and told the D&S Times the reservoir junction and one for Castleton were accident blackspots.

He said more than 20 people had died on the A171 over four years, with three deaths near his home. The former water board worker has lived there for more than 30 years.

Two men died there last year. His wife, Jean, was taken to hospital following an accident with a motorcycle, and another woman had suffered a broken back in a crash.

In a letter to Redcar and Cleveland Council, he argued a recent road-widening scheme creating a turning-lane for Lingdale traffic had made matters worse. The lane was being improperly used for overtaking.

"The road dips down and then rises up. The old Langbaurgh Council was going to slice off the hump at the top, where there is a blind spot." However, Redcar and Cleveland Council did not have the money to carry that project through.

"The road needs something like two bollards or islands at either side of the dip to preventing overtaking. This has been done at Charltons.

"Warning signs are not enough. A minority of motorists ignore them and cars still fly along at excessive speeds."

He and others campaigners have called for various measures to be considered, perhaps including reducing the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph and placing high-visibility police speed cameras.

He said: "I've lived here for 33 years and have seen the tragic results of speeding traffic. I really do not want to have to witness such events any longer."

He has won the support of Independent Coun Steve Kay.

A council spokesman said there were no plans to lower the speed limit but Mr Wood's comments would be considered. It and Cleveland police were working together to improve safety right along the A171.

Police figures showed 35 accidents from January 1998 to July 2002, of which five were fatal and 13 serious.

However, only two serious accidents occurred in the first six months of this year at Charltons and Lockwood Beck.