A HUSBAND has launched a one-man campaign to sort out a notorious road accident blackspot after his wife almost died in a crash.

Norman Wood says a number of friends have also suffered serious injuries at two spots on the A171 Guisborough to Whitby road.

More than 20 people have died in crashes on the A171 in the past four years - three of them near Mr Wood's home, at Lockwood Beck Reservoir, near Lingdale, east Cleveland.

And Mr Wood, who says he could not bear seeing the results of another accident near his home, has launched a petition calling on the authorities to install more safety measures.

In June last year, two men died on the road just past the turn-off to Mr Wood's house and a few weeks ago, his wife, Jean, was taken to hospital after being involved in a collision with a motorcycle. She has recovered from a number of injuries.

Another man has suffered a broken back as the result of an accident on the road near Mr Wood's house recently.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council puts the number of accidents there at 14 in the past five years, although Mr Wood argues there have been many more minor collisions. At nearby Castleton corner, also identified as a blackspot by Mr Wood, the council says there have been five accidents in the past three years, one a fatality.

In a letter to the council, Mr Wood, who has won the support of local councillor Steve Kay, argued that recent road-widening has made the problem worse as drivers try to overtake more often. He, and 14 others who have signed his petition so far, also think the speed limit should be reduced from 60mph to 40mph.

He said: "I have lived here for 33 years and have seen first-hand the extremely distressing and tragic results of speeding traffic near my home. I really do not want to have to witness such events any longer."

A council spokesman said new warning signs between Charltons and Scaling Dam have already reduced accidents. Speed cameras will also be installed along the road in the new year.