A proposal for a new traffic signalling scheme to improve the safety of the A36 at the junction with Upton Lovell was announced by the Highways Agency and Wiltshire Council yesterday at the village hall.

The scheme will involve installing permanent traffic signals at the A36 junction with Manor Road, along with a new pedestrian crossing and improved signing and lining.

Developed jointly by Wiltshire Council and the Highways Agency, the decision to commission a study looking at a permanent safety solution at the junction came following the conclusion of the inquest into the death of Stanley “Rocky” Knight.

Mr Knight died in June last year, from multiple traumatic injuries, after his car collided with a 32-tonne lorry as he made the turning out of Upton Lovell and on to the A36.

Fellow Upton Lovell residents Althea and Antony Barrington-Brown were also killed in a similar collision, just yards further down the road, in January 2012.

Annabelle Dexter, Highways Agency south west asset development manager, said: “We are delighted to announce these proposed new works which will not only improve safety at the junction, but also maintain access to an important route into Upton Lovell.

“We have worked extensively with our partners Wiltshire Council, Upton Lovell Parish Council, Wiltshire Constabulary and members of the local community on developing the best possible safety option for the junction and we will continue to liaise with local residents until the work has been completed.”

The signals will take the place of a temporary traffic order - currently prohibiting traffic joining the A36 from Manor Road – which was put in place shortly after the inquest into Mr Knight's death.

Residents in Upton Lovell were given an opportunity to comment on the plans at the village hall and if implemented, work could start as early as March 2014.