Government has pledged to improve the junction of Corkscrew Hill and Crow Lane to make the area safer for pedestrians and motorists.

The news comes after the recent death of James Quinn, the tenth road fatality of 2009.

The 33-year-old guest worker died on Saturday after his bike collided with a traffic light pole near the junction of Crow Lane and Corkscrew Hill.

"Police statistics indicate that there have been six deaths in the area of the Corkscrew Hill/Crow Lane Junction in the last ten years with four of these deaths occurring in the last five years," said a Government spokesperson yesterday. "Since excessive speed has been the principal cause of accidents in this section of road, the Ministry advises that there will be an increase in the number of road signs that warn motorists to reduce speed.

"'Frequent Accident Spot' signs will soon be erected to warn motorists that there is a frequent accident area ahead. The Ministry encourages motorists to reduce speed and exercise due care in the area."

Works and Engineering confirmed work will begin work in September, after discussions with the landowner on design options are complete.

The Ministry will work with the Road Safety Council on the improvements, which will cover the section of the road West of Crow Lane Bakery up to the Crown Lane roundabout.

Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess and his staff extended their condolences to the family of Mr. Quinn.

An area resident who asked not to be named said Works and Engineering had been looking into the junction for a while and last month they told her they would be doing something to improve it soon.

And a businessman said he was so concerned about the junction, he had called the Department of Transport.

The man, who did not want to be named, said: "I just called Government and tried to speak to somebody there that can sort something out. Something has to be done.

"It's kind of a bad spot because the road cambers to the right [even if you are going left]. Right there on the left is a set of gates and a pole. This has to be changed. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if that many people die in the same spot in an Island this big, there is a problem."

The spokesman said the new design will "improve the current road grade allowing for better vehicular handling on Crow Lane, and providing better access from Corkscrew Hill".

Mr. Quinn, an actuary with Deloitte, died in the early hours of Saturday morning. His death follows three others in that spot:

• On March 25, 2005 Brian Hughes died travelling south on Crow Lane when he lost control and crashed into a wall near the junction with Corkscrew Hill.

• On February 11, 2005 Michael Taylor, from Ontario, died in a single vehicle accident while travelling south on Crow Lane when he attempted to negotiate a right-hand bend near the junction of Corkscrew Hill.

• On October 14, 2001, 32-year-old Jan Desilva, died from injuries sustained when he lost control of his cycle while negotiating a curve along East Broadway, near Corkscrew Hill.

Police yesterday issued an appeal for information on Mr. Quinn's whereabouts in the hours proceeding his death.

Said a spokesperson: "We would especially like to speak with anyone that may have conveyed him from White Horse Tavern in St. George's to the City of Hamilton. This may have been a taxi driver. Also, we are interested in whether or not he was present in any establishment immediately prior to his death around 1.48 a.m.

"Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Mr. James Quinn immediately prior to his death, or anything pertinent to the circumstances — however seemingly irrelevant — is asked to contact PC Mervin Homer at 295-0011."