A ROAD safety champion should be appointed to reduce serious accidents, says a councillor.

Councillor Paul Hodgkinson, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Gloucestershire County Council, spoke after the council missed targets on road deaths in the county.

Latest figures show that 207 people were killed or seriously injured on roads in the last year, higher than the council target of 141.

Mr Hodgkinson has called for a road safety champion, to reduce accidents in blackspots including the A429 Fosse Way between Tredington and Moreton.

Cllr Hodgkinson, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group said: "Any road accident is certainly one too many and although I am pleased that over the last 10 years casualties on our county’s roads have reduced, the county council target has nevertheless been consistently missed in the last three years.

"Recently, rural roads such as the A429 Fosse Way have seen a major increase in deaths.

"I have therefore today called for a road safety champion who will work with the council’s road safety team focusing specifically on this alarming trend and ultimately to save lives.

"This champion would be a county councillor who would really tackle this problem and provide a focal point for reducing accidents.

"We hope our request is reasonable and that whoever runs the administration after May’s elections will seriously consider the creation of this new role to promote road safety and make a decision on this as soon as possible."

Fosse Way has been the scene of several accidents in recent years, with an 81 year old man killed in February after a three car crash.

Cllr Hodgkinson has long called for improvements to the road.

Speaking in February he said: "Of course every accident has a different story behind it, but I feel strongly that three things will help visibility and promote safety: making sure the road surface is good so that people aren’t swerving to avoid potholes, having clear and painted white lining and signage which is clean and clear of vegetation."

Councillor Ray Theodoulou, deputy leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "Any serious injury on our roads is one too many, although it is important to remember that, in the last ten years, casualties on our roads have dropped by over 51 percent.

"I am proud that the Conservatives have put over £300,000 in to protecting vital road safety work in Gloucestershire this year."