A car crash on a narrow road near an unauthorised gypsy camp has sparked fears over road safety.

Two people suffered neck and back injuries in the collision, at a blind bend along Eaves Green Lane, Meriden.

And residents claim the smash is the latest in a string of “near misses”.

They are demanding that Solihull Council reviews the road’s speed limit, to avoid a “fatality waiting to happen”.

The area is at the centre of a planning row over the proposed development of green belt off the lane by a group of travellers.

The gypsies arrived at the site on April 30 and have remained there since. A planning inquiry is due to begin in March.

Residents claim traffic passing along the lane has increased by 50 per cent since a nearby bridge was closed.

And they claim that more HGV vehicles are using the lane because of the gypsy camp.

David McGrath, homeowner and chairman of campaign group Meriden Residents Against Inappropriate Development, said: “There has been a large increase in traffic in Eaves Green Lane because of the bridge closure in Showell Lane, but also the type of traffic using the lane has changed given that the gypsy site next to this bend is using it as an unauthorised HGV car park.

“The traffic situation is a mess in the lane, the single track roads are slippy and recently someone slid off a motorbike. The weather is getting worse as well and something needs to be done.”

West Midlands MEP Nikki Sinclaire, who is backing the campaigners, added: “Eaves Green Lane needs to go back to what it was, a peaceful lane experiencing light traffic used mainly by local people and not as a rat run.”

Solihull Council’s cabinet member for transport and highways David Jamieson said officers had recently recommended the road’s speed limit should be reduced to 40mph.

He said: “We do have plans to consult and advertise this change, however with the current funding limitations this scheme is unlikely to proceed in the near future.

“Regarding the Showell Lane bridge closure, in response to residents’ concerns Eaves Green Lane was not signed as part of the diversion route.”