A MINEHEAD grandmother died at an accident hotspot in a crash “that should never have happened” according to a councillor.

Sally Eveleigh, 70, died on April 27 after her white Toyota Aygo collided with a Vauxhall Vivaro van on A358 in Bishops Lydeard.

An inquest into Mrs Eveleigh’s death was held today.

Senior coroner for the District of Somerset Tony Williams came to the conclusion that she had died of multiple trauma as a result of a road traffic incident.

Mr Williams also said he will be writing to Somerset County Council and Taunton Deane Borough Council to question if a reduction in speed limit sign had been considered instead of the collision site warning signs that are in place on the near the junction.

The inquest heard that around 6.45am on April 27, Mrs Eveleigh had approached the A358 on Station Road.

She joined the A358 turning north, heading towards her home in Pagnall Road, Minehead.

She collided with the off side of a red and yellow Vauxhall Vivaro van, which was a South West motors company vehicle travelling along A358 at around 40mph. The speed limit at that point in the road is 60mph.

According to the collision investigator PC Julian Chambers, the driver of the van, Wesley Foreshaw, had locked the breaks and performed evasive action but was unable to avoid crashing into Mrs Eveleigh as she pulled into the road.

Mrs Eveleigh’s three daughters and Henry Davenport, chairman of Bishops Lydeard and Cothelstone parish council attended the inquest at the Taunton Municipal Buildings..

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Davenport said: “I maintain once again that this was an accident that should never have happened.

“The coroner’s powers are limited. In the circumstances his verdict was very fair and I am delighted that he is writing to Somerset County Council and Taunton Deane Borough Council about this matter.

“Works on the roundabout are now supposed to start on Monday (September 26) but I am not holding my breath.”

The inquest also heard from Mr Davenport that initial agreements with property developer Taylor Whimpey meant that works should have been completed on the road before 50 per cent of a new housing development in Bishops Lydeard was being lived in.

According to Mr Davenport, that level of occupancy was reached in July 2013.

Tracy Jones, one of Mrs Eveleigh’s daughters, said: “We are quite happy with the result. Mr Williams did listen to all the points we had. (Mum) was only 70 and she was a very young 70.

“We miss her very much.”