Decision-makers performed a U-turn on their policy about a dangerous road after the local paper’s editor addressed a key meeting.

Brian Asplin, of the Cambridgeshire Times, addressed a transport committee as part of his paper’s What Price a Life campaign.

The initiative has been calling for a roundabout on the junction of the A141/A605 and a safety review at another junction, known as Hobbs Lott. The Times has been voicing the concerns of readers and collected more than 3,500 signatures on a petition delivered to the meeting.

And councillors are now sitting down to work out a fully-costed traffic scheme to save lives rather than inferior measures previously put forward.

The councillors had already been briefed on the newspaper campaign, which began after Amanda Burbridge died at the A141 junction on her way home from work in February.

Brian told the meeting: “Newspapers are regularly accused of getting things wrong. But never in 40 years as a journalist have I been more convinced that the Cambs Times has got something right – exactly right.

“Our campaign to improve safety at the A141/A605 junction at Goosetree really has touched a public nerve.

“Amanda’s parents have supported our campaign right from the start in the hope that although they have lost a beloved daughter, something good might, at least result from it.

“It was clear to the Cambs Times editorial team that the junction needs improving in road safety terms. And it was obvious that a roundabout was the answer.

“I must stress that it is not the Cambs Times which is demanding a roundabout but the people of March and district.”

He said that the “cheap” token solution being put forward of anti-skid surfaces was not the answer.

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