A SCRATBY resident believes a recent fatal crash has highlighted the need for street lights on a stretch of road in the village. Carol Davies, of Rottenstone Lane, said she was “shocked” when she discovered a man had been found dead on the road two weeks ago, but added she was “not surprised” claiming the poorly lit road had been an “accident waiting to happen”.

A SCRATBY resident believes a recent fatal crash has highlighted the need for street lights on a stretch of road in the village.

Carol Davies, of Rottenstone Lane, said she was “shocked” when she discovered a man had been found dead on the road two weeks ago, but added she was “not surprised” claiming the poorly lit road had been an “accident waiting to happen”.

The road is surrounded by holiday parks and Mrs Davies claims to the only way to improve safety is to install street lights.

She said: “I think it's a very dangerous road and I think locals would like to see street lights put up. Just two or three would be wonderful because it is very dark in the evenings.”

Mrs Davies, who has lived on Rottenstone Lane for seven years, has a sensor light in her front garden triggered by people walking past which provides a little light for passers by.

“This is a busy road and I'm shocked this has happened but not surprised at all. I think the same thing will happen again if street lights are not put up,” she added.

Chairman of Ormesby St Margaret with Scratby parish council, Geoff Freeman, said the issue had been raised at the council's annual meeting on Monday evening but that the council would not act until more was known about the incident.

“We still do not know the circumstances of the incident. There is a footpath along the road but the man could have been walking in the road or the car could have left the road, you just don't know.

“If it was the case the car left the road because of speed its unlikely that street lights would have helped.

“Fortunately we do not have many of these incidents in Scratby but we are taking it seriously.

“Once we know the circumstances of the incident we will see if there is anything that can be done to prevent this happening again,” added Mr Freeman.

Richard Cave, from Wootton in Bedfordshire, was found lying in Rottenstone Road shortly after midnight on Sunday, May 11. The 62-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. A 20-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving later on that day and have since been released on bail until June 21.

Anyone with information should contact PC Shaun Turner at Acle Road Policing on 0845 456 4567.