IMPROVED warning signs will be introduced at a road crossing in Powys after a walker died when she was hit by a car.

Margaret Lewis, 63, died on November 6, 2020, after being struck by a car where the Montgomery Canal towpath meets the B4398, near Llanymynech.

At Mrs Lewis’ inquest held last month, assistant coroner for South Wales Central, Dr Sarah-Jane Richards, ordered improved safety measures, saying she had written to both Powys County Council (PCC) and the Canal & River Trust, asking them to provide better signage.

“Powys County Council takes public safety very seriously and has agreed to erect ‘pedestrian crossing’ warning signs at the location as soon as possible,” said Matt Perry, head of highways transport and recycling at PCC.

A spokesperson for the Canal & River Trust added: “Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Margaret Lewis following the inquest into her death.

“The trust is reviewing the HM Coroner’s recommendations. Safety is a priority and we are committed to ensuring that the inland waterways can be enjoyed safely and playing our part in helping to deliver any improvements.”

An inquest into Mrs Lewis’ death on March 11 heard she had been walking along the towpath and reached a point where it crossed the road, which has a 60mph limit. She passed through a kissing gate onto the B4398, with the intention of re-joining the towpath through a similar gate, on the other side of the road.

Mrs Lewis was hit by a car, thought to be travelling at between 16-22mph. It is thought she had been wearing headphones at the time.

The driver who hit her was dazzled by the glare from the low sun, which meant he did not see Mrs Lewis crossing the road.

Witnesses said the car had a quiet engine which could not be heard at the time of the incident.