COUNCIL chiefs have sparked anger by deciding not to put crash barriers at the foot of a hill where two women were killed by a runaway lorry four years ago.

But council officers, who revealed the decision on Friday, say that the barriers at the bottom of Amersham Hill, High Wycombe, would be too dangerous and could risk the lives of drivers and pedestrians.

And Rodney Royston, Bucks County Council's cabinet member for transport, told Midweek: "We have a duty to make sure that what we are doing is intelligent. It would not be intelligent to put in an intrusive structure of dubious value."

Calls for safety measures were made after a lorry went out of control on Amersham Hill in June 2001 and crashed into Aitchisons estate agents at the foot of the hill in Easton Street, killing a negotiator and a customer inside the shop.

The county council has since carried out work on the hill designed to reduce speed, and it also commissioned the Transport Research Laboratory (TLR) to test physical obstructions which might be placed at the bottom in the event that a lorry still went out of control.

The report came out against a barrier.

Cllr Royston said: "The TRL knows precisely what they are talking about. They are the top people to deal with this sort of thing. We would be failing in our duty if we took no notice."

But Robin Miles, branch manager of Aitchisons, reacted furiously.

He believes that his business is suffering because people are still worried about coming into the office.

Mr Miles has done his own investigations on ways of preventing another catastrophe.

He said: "I think it's quite disgusting. What is needed most importantly is a concrete slab laid down at an angle. That's the only thing that will stop another accident and believe you me it will happen.

"We have seen brakes smoking from lorries as they reach the traffic lights. More lives will be lost as a result of this."

However, Ian McGowan, the council's team leader for safety schemes, said a concrete barrier might stop the lorry, but both barrier and lorry could smash apart.

"Some of the measures would endanger drivers, pedestrians and road users," he said. "We've looked into it as much as we can. We've asked the world's experts TRL. It's nothing to do with costs. There's nothing we can provide that will stop an accident. We've spent £400,000 on existing measures."

Speaking about the accident which killed the two women, he said: "The lorry's brakes were defective. There is nothing we as a council can do. It's up to drivers to make sure their vehicles are fit for the road."

Val Lethetheren, county councillor for Green Hill and Totteridge, who has been pressing for improvements since the fatal crash, said: "I am very grateful to Rodney Royston for the time and resources he has put into looking at the ways to make this road as safe as possible. The changes have made a significant difference. "

l Improvements to the road include: specially-designed signs which flash when heavy vehicles speed; high-friction surfacing to prevent skidding provided over an area of about 4,000 square metres; six pedestrian refuges put in; static traffic signs to warn drivers of a steep hill and draw attention to the escape lane; the pelican crossing moved and changed to a puffin crossing; trees trimmed to ensure that they do not hide traffic signs; four central islands installed to slow vehicles.

Margaret Smith & Julian Howson