Shropshire Star

Newport junction changes spark safety fears

Changes to the road layout outside a new housing estate are an "an accident waiting to happen", residents have said.

Published

Changes have been made to the junction of Audley Avenue and Audley Road in Newport after the building of the new 61-home St Nicholas Park estate.

The new layout was agreed as part of the planning application to make the junction safer – but drivers and residents say no warning was given.The new layout gives priority to the new housing estate.

But residents say they were given no notice and no warning signs have been erected.

The junction of Audley Avenue and Audley Road in Newport

Olly Cartwright, a resident of Audley Avenue, said: "The new road junction has sprung up over night without any real warning and there is absolutely nothing to warn motorists or people walking that there is a new road layout and this could have really serious consequences.

"The junction gives priority to a new housing estate over a main Newport road and gives priority to a road to nowhere because the estate does not go anywhere.

"It is a tricky little bend and there is a massive danger for a bad crash or the potential for something even worse.

Schools

"I think it is unacceptable as it does not appear to have been thought out and I seriously hope, given that it is close to three of the town's main schools, that it is simply an error.

"It is going to need re-marking and re-instating the proper road."

Newport West ward Councillor Peter Scott said the plans were always going to be changed for safety reasons but signs warning drivers should have gone up earlier.

He said: "It was on the original plans and Newport Town Council had received concerns that the bend was dangerous for pedestrians because larger vehicles mounted the kerb about five years ago.

"Telford & Wrekin has taken to opportunity to change the priority while the new estate was built. It will be much safer now but it is new and came as a big surprise to everyone. The town council backed the new development at the time.

"My only gripe is that there should have been temporary signs that tell approaching motorists of the alteration to priority."

Russell Griffin, Telford & Wrekin Council spokesman, said temporary signs would be installed to warn drivers. He said: "As with any new junction layout, I can confirm there will be temporary signs installed to make drivers aware of the change in priority."

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