THE fight to improve safety along the Forty Foot Road moved dramatically to Shire Hall, Cambridge, this week as a petition signed by 1,800 people from the Fens was handed over. Cambridgeshire County Council has now pledged a wide-ranging and in depth in

THE fight to improve safety along the Forty Foot Road moved dramatically to Shire Hall, Cambridge, this week as a petition signed by 1,800 people from the Fens was handed over. Cambridgeshire County Council has now pledged "a wide-ranging and in depth investigation" of the road which has claimed five lives in recent months. Chatteris town councillor Chris Howes who helped organise the petition told councillors: "On behalf of the 1,800 people who have already signed our petition, I beg you to stop denying the need to save lives along this road and consider the matter properly."Our parishes need to be a safe place for people to live, work and visit."This week the parents of a 20 year-old motorist who drowned in the Forty Foot Drain 28 years ago joined the campaign by the Cambs Times and our sister paper The Hunts Post to make the road safer. Karen Abblitt, an only child, had been given an Austin Mini by her father just a few hours before she crashed into the five-metre deep drain in May, 1978.She was on her way from Ramsey to meet March fiance Neil Green of Russell Avenue.But Karen's car inexplicably shot across the road and went into the water as she approached Leonard Childs Bridge. Even now, almost 30 years later, the crash remains a mystery. The car had no faults and Karen had been driving her father's car for two years before being given the mini as a surprise present.Karen's father Tom said this week: "I think now that someone ran her off the road, trying to overtake her."The Ramsey farmer said: "The river is now closer to the road. When I was young, it was almost the width of a car away but dredging has brought the bank nearer."Karen's mother Shirley said: "You never get over losing a child."They should have done something about the road years ago. Let's hope they do something before anyone else dies."The road is not very level and once your wheels are off the road you are in the water."I think they should put up slow-down signs, barriers and speed cameras."Even now, almost 30 years later, the crash remains a mystery. The car had no faults, and Karen had been driving her father's car for two years before being given the Mini as a surprise present.Karen's father Tom said this week: "I think now that someone ran her off the road, trying to overtake her."The Ramsey farmer said: "The river is now closer to the road. When I was young, it was almost the width of a car away but dredging has brought the bank nearer."Karen's mother Shirley said: "You never get over losing a child."They should have done something about the road years ago. Let's hope they do something before anyone else dies."The road is not very level and once your wheels are off the road you are in the water."I think they should put up slow-down signs, barriers and speed cameras.