THE family of a Winsford dad who was killed as he walked along a 'disastrous' stretch of road have spoken of their relief after safety improvements were approved.

Phil and Linda Baker, of Nixon Drive, have been campaigning for safety improvements on the A533 bypass since their son, Jason, was killed on April 11 last year.

Yesterday, Tuesday, their calls were answered when Vale Royal Borough Council approved proposals to open a road running next to the bypass for use by pedestrians.

Linda said: "Vale Royal Borough Council has agreed to reopen the road so people no longer have to walk along the bypass itself.

"This is fantastic news for us and makes the long and difficult campaign seem worthwhile."

It is anticipated that the road, which was closed when the bypass was built in 1997, will be open within the next two months.

Father-of-two Jason Baker, 30, of Bedford Rise, was walking home after a night out when he was struck by a car travelling along the road, but his family believe the tragedy could have been prevented.

Linda said: "When Jason died it seemed senseless and there seemed no reason for it.

"It was very difficult for us to even think about campaigning for safety improvements but then we thought about it and decided we needed to do something to prevent this from happening again. If we have saved just one person it's worth it.

"I think it will provide us with closure too because although we will never fully get over whathappened to Jason this does offer us a conclusion to it all."

At the inquest into Jason's death in October last year Janet Napier, deputy coroner for Cheshire, described the road as disastrous and wrote to the county council outlining her concerns.

Town and borough councillors Peter Gannon and Des Worthington, who supported the Baker family's campaign, are delighted with the announcement.

Clr Worthington said: "This was a tragic incident that shocked many people and it was important that we made sure it didn't happen again."

Linda said: "I don't think we could have achieved this without the help of Peter Gannon and Des Worthington and we can't thank them enough.

"We would also like to thank everyone at Cheshire County Council for their support."