Danger junction works revealed
Announcement follows two more collisions in as many days
LEICESTERSHIRE County Council has revealed the “improvements” to be made to a notorious junction in Shepshed, which saw two collisions in two days, last week.
Residents have taken to social media to express their views on the Iveshead Road, Charley Road and Abbey Road junction following the latest collisions at the site.
Many said improvements needed to be made to the junction which, according to the county council, has had 16 recorded ‘injury accidents’ between May 2012 and April 2017.
LEICESTERSHIRE County Council has revealed the “improvements” to be made to a notorious junction in Shepshed, which saw two collisions in two days, last week.
Residents have taken to social media to express their views on the Iveshead Road, Charley Road and Abbey Road junction following the latest collisions at the site.
Emergency services were called to an incident involving two vehicles on Charley Road just before noon on Tuesday, July 4.
According to Leicestershire Police an air ambulance was called but in the end three people, whose injuries were not serious, were taken to hospital by land.
The next day (Wednesday, July 5), officers were called again to a collision involving two vehicles on Abbey Road just before 7pm.
East Midlands Ambulance Service said two ambulances were sent but the casualties only sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
Following the accidents many residents took to social media saying improvements needed to be made to the junction which, according to the county council, has had 16 recorded ‘injury accidents’ between May 2012 and April 2017.
County and borough councillor, Coun Christine Radford, told the Echo the junction is “a nightmare” and there is “an accident there at least once a month”.
She says she has written to the county council on a number of occasions and would like to see a mini roundabout put in place.
Coun Radford says she also called for the 30mph speed limit to be extended along Iveshead Road during discussions regarding the Bloor Homes development off Iveshead Road.
But senior traffic management officer at Leicestershire police, Graham Compton, told the Echo that extending the 30mph speed limit in a rural area was “unrealistic” and did not meet the strict guidance for the introduction of speed limits.
The Echo reported earlier in the year that improvements were to be made at the junction and now, following another call by the newspaper to the county council, the authority has revealed its plans.
Coun Blake Pain, cabinet member for highways, said: “We have completed the development of a scheme to address issues around accidents at the Iveshead Road, Charley Road and Abbey Road crossroads and works have already been ordered.
“It is expected that these works will start by the end of August.
“The improvements will involve: making the junction more visible by providing additional signage, hazard perception bars (rumble strips) will be improved on the main road (Abbey Road) and added on the side road (Charley Road), and reducing the speed limit to 50mph.
“Implementing traffic lights, a mini roundabout or altering the bend would not be cost effective.
“The council consults with the police when looking at putting certain measures in place and it is anticipated that what is planned for the junction should address the current accident problems that are occurring.
“When the scheme has been completed the council will monitor the location closely to judge their effect and assess whether anything further needs to be done.”
A spokesperson from Leicestershire police said: “The matter has been raised by the Road Safety Partnership with a view to identifying any additional safety measures that could be introduced at the site.
“The police together with the Road Safety Partnership will continue to monitor the site and take action as appropriate.”