CALLS have been made for speed restrictions on the A35 at Bridport after a spate of serious accidents.

In the last week there have been two smashes at the Eype turning and a third accident at Miles Cross.

Although road improvements are planned for the stretch of road between the Quarr Lane junction and the Eype turning - they are subject to funding and it is not known when they will be implemented.

On Sunday the road was closed for around two hours after a smash involving two cars, trapping the occupants of one of the vehicles.

Earlier in the week the road was closed at the Miles Cross junction and the air ambulance called after another accident.

And on Tuesday three cars collided near the Eype turning.

A BMW, registered to a man from Orpington in Kent and a Fiat Ulysse registered to man from Plymouth, were involved in the accident at around 4.40pm on Sunday.

The Fiat overturned during the accident and the driver and passenger, were trapped inside. Drivers of other cars stopped and helped, pulling youngsters free from the wreckage.

Two fire engines from Bridport worked to free the driver and passenger trapped in the Fiat. They were released after around an hour and taken to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester, suffering minor injuries.

A police spokesman said: "They were lucky to escape with minor injuries. This was a serious accident."

Nigel Challis, station commander at Bridport Fire Station, said: "It was quite a difficult extrication. We had two people trapped in one car and we had to cut the roof off the Fiat which was on its side. They were very lucky not to have been more badly injured."

Yvonne Norman, Symondsbury parish councillor, who lives on the A35 at the old London Inn hamlet, said they had been campaigning for a reduction in the speed limit, changes to the junction at Miles Cross and the introduction of a slip road at the Eype turning.

"A lot of people, particularly tourists, don't understand whose right of way it is at the Miles Cross junction. There is nothing to tell you has right of way."

"We feel the problem is linked with speed and the speed limit needs to be addressed. We would wish to see - at a minimum - the speed limit reduced to 40mph on this stretch."

She said they questioned whether the road management strategy plan which was carried out in 2001 was still relevant as it took place before the area was designated a world heritage site - an initiative which will bring more tourists to the area.

A Highways Agency spokesman said although work was planned for the Quarr Lane junction the scheme was currently being drawn up.

"We do not have a timescale for its implementation and it is subject to funding."

He said a reduction in the speed limit through the London Road hamlet would be investigated as part of the Quarr Lane scheme.

But he said the management strategy plan would not be reconsidered in light of the new heritage status.

He added: "The feeling is that the road management strategy is to look at the road as it stands, how to improve its safety and congestion, which should apply whether you are a visitor or not."