Signs put up as part of resurfacing work on a Shropshire road might have been a “significant” factor in leading to the death of a 37-year-old man, an inquest heard.John Ellery, coroner for Mid and North Shropshire, yesterday said he accepted that a sign placed by JDM Accord on the A442 at Peplow, near Hodnet, could have played a part in the death of Gareth Hughes.

Mr Hughes, of Highfields, Market Drayton, died on May 9 last year when his car was in collision with a lorry. His widow Leah today said she did not consider the case closed.

Mr Ellery said the sign stated there were loose chippings ahead in 100 yards when in fact the hazard was less than half that distance away. He yesterday recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Chris Cooke, surface treatment supervisor for JDM Accord, yesterday told the hearing that the signs would have been placed in a position where they were most visible to motorists.

The inquest also heard that in a cruel twist of fate a decision was taken by road sweeper Steve Bennett and Mr Cooke to delay an initial road sweeping from the afternoon of May 8 until 6am the next day – only half an hour after Mr Hughes’s accident – because of rain.

Mr Ellery said he accepted that two of Mr Hughes’s tyres were over-inflated and a brake valve was faulty and that he was travelling at least double the 20mph advisory speed limit. He was also not wearing a seatbelt.

Referring to the signs Mr Ellery said: “The fourth factor I consider to be significant is that there were two signs on either side of the road warning motorists of loose chippings ahead.

“These signs stated the hazard was 100 yards ahead when in fact they were 44.4 yards ahead.”

In a statement following the inquest Mrs Hughes said: “I am still of the belief that my husband would be alive today if this road had been properly swept after it had been re-surfaced.

“I find it very distressing that after only 18 months of marriage to Gareth I now have to get used to a life without him, as do my two children. Rhiannon was only nine months old when her father died and she will grow up without ever having the benefit of knowing what a good man he was.”