Resurfacing work plan to improve blackspot on the A5

A DEADLY accident blackspot on the A5 between Hinckley and Atherstone is to be made safer before the end of the year.

The A5 junction with Woodford Lane, Fenny Drayton – more familiar to many as the turn-off for Dobbies Garden Centre – has been the scene of several fatal recent years.

Last week a driver was taken to hospital after their car flipped at the junction on the A5, which marks the boundary between Leicestershire and Warwickshire.

Now, after so many incidents at the scene, Highways England has said work to improve the junction is planned to take place later in the road accidents in year, which will improve the surface grip for people turning into Woodford Lane.

A spokesman said: “Safety is our priority and improvement work, including laying a high-friction surfacing and installing improved signage, was carried out at the Woodford Lane junction in 2016, leading to fewer collisions.

“Resurfacing on this section of the A5 is planned to take place later this year, which will include a highfriction surface at right turn lanes on the junction, to further improve safety.”

Work has already taken place at another accident blackspot on the A5, known locally as the Royal Redgate junction, after the pub on the corner, a few hundred yards further up the road.

A mini roundabout was created at the junction to help make access from the A5 to the A444, both heading towards Weddington Lane and also Atherstone Road, easier and safer.

Further along the A5, there are plans to transform the A5 between the M69 and M42 into a dual carriageway, with a view to completing the construction by 2030.