New safety improvements are to be installed on a notorious stretch of road in Shropshire where two postmen died, following calls issued by a coroner.Telford & Wrekin coroner Michael Gwynne had pressed for action over the B5063 near Walton, High Ercall, after the deaths of Ralph Brown and Paul Murray following an accident on the road early this year.

He had also called for a temporary 40mph speed limit to be extended.

Now work, which will take two weeks, is to be carried out from September 8. It will involve putting down a special surface. The speed limit will also be reduced.

Mr Gwynne said today: “I am delighted the council has reacted so positively to the recommendations which were made at the inquest. Hopefully the work which is to be carried out will lead to a considerable reduction in road traffic incidents in the vicinity of Walton.”

Councillor Steve Bentley, cabinet member for regeneration at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “There will be road maintenance and the installation of high friction surfacing to reduce the likelihood of drivers coming off the road.

“There will also be an extension of the 40mph limit to include Walton Bends with an option to review and change as and when re-quired. In addition we have already improved some of the signing in the area to warn drivers of the double bends.”

Mr Brown, 34, of Wem, and Mr Murray, 21, of Hanmer, near Whitchurch 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.