A desperate plea has been made for better safety at a notorious accident blackspot following a fatal crash.  

People living in Guist in mid Norfolk have called for a fresh approach to their village centre crossroads which links four major centres - lying between Norwich, Fakenham, Dereham and Holt. 

It comes after a man in his 70s died following a three-vehicle crash on the A1067 Norwich Road in the village on September 21.  

North Norfolk News: Sarah Waller has lived in Guist for the last three years, and started working at the Guist General Store and Café six weeks agoSarah Waller has lived in Guist for the last three years, and started working at the Guist General Store and Café six weeks ago (Image: Aaron McMillan)

Sarah Waller, who has lived in Guist for three years and works at the village's general store and café, said it was high time something was done around the spot Norwich Road intersects with the B1110. 

“People are always speeding through here, you stand at the counter in the shop and see it,” she said.

“Police stand by the church lay-by often and use a speed gun, so I wonder why they don’t put a speed camera there? It would save their time as well.

North Norfolk News: The A1067 Norwich Road runs through Guist, with it heading towards Fakenham and roads which head towards Holt and DerehamThe A1067 Norwich Road runs through Guist, with it heading towards Fakenham and roads which head towards Holt and Dereham (Image: Aaron McMillan)

“Something needs to be done to slow people down - a mini-roundabout or a permanent speed camera. I would like to see a camera installed in Guist.

“It feels like you are going to get hit all the time.”

Although there is a 'SAM2' electronic speed sign on the way towards Fakenham, Ms Waller said the sudden speed drop from 60mph to 30mph was a concern.  

The fatal crash was just one in a string of road accidents in the village. 

Emergency services were called after a motorcyclist came off his bike and injured his knee on the evening of October 2. He later made his own way to hospital. 

North Norfolk News: The A1067 Norwich Road runs through Guist, with it heading towards Fakenham and roads which head towards Holt and DerehamThe A1067 Norwich Road runs through Guist, with it heading towards Fakenham and roads which head towards Holt and Dereham (Image: Aaron McMillan)

And last November a crash at the junction involving a Ford Fiesta and a Volvo caused lengthy delays, but luckily no serious injuries. 

James Hewins, who has lived in Guist for 48 years, said there had been more traffic through the village since the NDR fully opened in April 2018.

North Norfolk News: James Hewins, who has lived in Guist for 48 yearsJames Hewins, who has lived in Guist for 48 years (Image: Aaron McMillan)

Mr Hewins, 77, said: “The crossroads towards Dereham is always a job to get across with the visibility restricted.

“I notice the police in the church lay-by and their presence slows people down.

"It might be a good idea to see how it goes [with a speed camera], especially given that children are crossing this road.”

North Norfolk News: The A1067 Norwich Road runs through Guist, with it heading towards Fakenham and roads which head towards Holt and DerehamThe A1067 Norwich Road runs through Guist, with it heading towards Fakenham and roads which head towards Holt and Dereham (Image: Aaron McMillan)

George Freeman, MP for Mid-Norfolk, said: “The Guist speeding blackspot is becoming a serious issue locally, with a number of near misses and recent crashes with local residents taking their life in their hands when crossing the ever faster Norwich Road traffic.

North Norfolk News: George Freeman, MP for Mid-NorfolkGeorge Freeman, MP for Mid-Norfolk (Image: Richard Townshend Photography)

“We need some measure to tackle it and I’m talking to local councillors about what residents would most like to see.”

Gordon Bambridge, Breckland councillor for the Upper Wensum ward, which includes Guist, said he is keen to give support to people raising concerns over road safety.

“I am always interested in villages I represent and their issues, and I play a part in the Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel and help in those conversations with the police about traffic calming measures.

North Norfolk News: Gordon Bambridge, Breckland councillorGordon Bambridge, Breckland councillor (Image: Archant)

"In the last year, I have supported several of my parishes to take action and get in contact with those who can help."

The calls follow a public meeting on rural speeding held in North Walsham at the end of September

At the meeting, Norfolk's chief constable Paul Sandford, police and crime commissioner Giles Orpen-Smillie and county council representatives were quizzed about what could be done to make country roads less dangerous. 

It was revealled that motorists faced a "staggering" 58,900 penalties for infringements on Norfolk's roads last year - more than 11,000 - 20pc - than in 2021.