Those changes, including a cut in the speed limit to 50mph from the previous national limit, were designed to reduce the number of crashes on the A6135 between Chapeltown in Sheffield and Hoyland Common in Barnsley but campaigners argued at the time that more should be done.

Since the changes were made, collisions have occurred including one in May when three teenagers died and others were hurt as the car they were travelling in left the road and hit a tree at Hood Hill.

Residents have reported other accidents and near-misses and now Wentworth and Tankersley parish councils, which have sections of the road within their boundaries, have joined forces to demand further action. Their principal aim is to get a speed camera installed to try to control the speed of vehicles, which they regard as a major factor in the road's accident record.

They also want other improvements, such as cutting back hedges to improve sight lines for motorists.

The parish councils have now launched the A6135 Accident Reduction Group and Wentworth parish councillor Sarah Hales said: "Our aims are to lobby local government for some safety control measures between Hood Hill and Hoyland Common to reduce the number of accidents.

"What we are looking for is a speed camera. Nobody else wants them, but we are trying to get one. We are trying to make the road better – there have been 15 deaths in 20 years."

Barnsley Council's deputy leader, Coun Jim Andrews, said the road had already been examined by highways engineers from his authority and counterparts in Rotherham, along with police. No decisions could be made until the outcome of an inquest into the cause of the deaths was known but after that hearing the situation would be re-examined, he said.

That hearing, which will investigate the circumstances of the deaths of Christopher Lake, Ashley Murphy and Leanne Fletcher, is expected soon.

A Wentworth parish councillor with a garden adjoining the road had five cars in it as a result of crashes on the road outside in the past two decades, she said.

The situation had become such a concern in the area that some residents had started their own information logs to record details of incidents on the road.

Barnsley Council introduced changes to the road around two years ago, including a reduction in the speed limit and extension of the 30mph limit at Hoyland Common to cut traffic speeds as vehicles approached the urban area. A speed warning sign was installed at Hood Hill, which alerts drivers when their speed exceeds the limit on the approach to a bend.

At the time, Wentworth parish council was told the road did not meet the criteria to have a speed camera installed.

However, one resident of nearby Harley said: "Everyone thinks it needs a live speed camera which will prosecute people. The sign reminds a responsible person who might be going a little bit too fast but those who don't care will carry on regardless and a fine would make them think a bit."