A HEREFORD man says there is a "death waiting to happen" on a stretch of rural road where a school bus overturned a year ago this week.

David Summers has been pressing for action on the B4399 near Holme Lacy since the bus taking pupils to the Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School and St Mary's RC High School overturned and rolled down an embankment.

Driver Eileen Hampton was in intensive care for several weeks following the crash which saw more than 20 children taken to hospital.

But Mr Summers, who lives in Holme Lacy, says a repeat could be on the cards with tyre marks spotted "within inches" of a ten-foot drop into a nearby field.

"We were lucky someone was not killed last year," said Mr Summers, a county councillor who is a member of the It's Our County party.

"It's a death waiting to happen.

"I drive past there a lot and I've been pushing to get something done about it for a while.

"They (Herefordshire Council contractor Balfour Beatty) are against putting a barrier up. There are a couple of black and white stakes in the ground but they are no barrier.

"Something is going to happen there with the way the roads are.

"We're looking at a 10-15 foot drop."

Ms Hampton, from Ocle Pychard, near Bromyard, broke ten bones and punctured her lungs.

She was later given a commendation for her bravery after ensuring the safe evacuation of all children from the bus despite suffering her own injuries.

In response, Balfour Beatty said it has been working to improve safety on the road following the accident, including measures such as 'road narrows' and 'weight limit' warning signs, plus the removal of overgrown vegetation to improve visibility.

Further road safety work will be carried out this month.

"Works will include additional hedge trimming and tree and branch removal to improve visibility sight lines, the installation of additional ‘slow’ road markings, and the introduction of ribbed edge carriageway markings," said a Balfour Beatty spokesperson.

"We advise that these works will result in the road being closed during daylight hours on Sundays and road users should follow the provided diversion signs. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause."