A Shropshire coroner has called for action to be taken along a notorious stretch of road where two postmen died in a car crash.Mr Michael Gwynne, the coroner for Telford & Wrekin, has called for a temporary 40mph speed limit to be extended on the B5063 near Walton, High Ercall.

He also recommended that Telford & Wrekin Council investigate the surface of the road and carry out any necessary remedial action, as well as relocating or altering a number of signs.

Mr Gwynne was speaking yesterday at the inquest on Ralph Brown, 34, from Wem, and 21-year-old Paul Murray from Hanmer, near Whitchurch.

The men died of head injuries on January 11 when a car driven by Mr Brown came off the road and hit a tree. Mr Brown was found to have been more than twice the drink-drive limit.

Mr Gwynne, who recorded narrative verdicts on the two men, praised the efforts of Walton resident Olive Turner, who compiled a dossier of 59 incidents there in the last three years.

Mr Gwynne heard evidence from Peter Dixon, a principal consultant at the Transport Research Laboratory, who told the inquest the surface of the road should be looked at with a view to remedial action.

He also pointed out that “double bend ahead” signs were incorrect in the way the bends were shown.

Mr Gwynne told a solicitor at the inquest to report back to Telford & Wrekin Council on Mr Dixon’s recommendations and of his view that the 40mph restriction should be extended.

“I think it is appropriate that unless some action is taken I will send a formal letter,” he added.

Mr Gwynne said the tragedy was a “direct consequence” of driving while under the influence of drink.

He said Mr Brown was under the influence of alcohol when he lost control of the vehicle which left the road and hit a tree. Mr Murray was a passenger.

Mr Murray’s father Michael Murray, 53, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, said after the inquest he hoped lessons could be learned from the tragedy.

He said the family was still “desperately devastated” by the loss of a “fantastic son” but that he bore no animosity towards Mr Brown’s family.

By Deborah Collins