Call for road layout rethink as Shrewsbury crash site island branded unsafe
Fresh calls have been made to improve the site of a road accident in Shrewsbury in which a teenage motorcyclist was seriously injured.
Councillor Kevin Pardy, who represents the Sundorne ward, has contacted Shropshire Council to raise his concerns and those of the local community about the road layout on Sundorne Road adjacent to the medical centre.
He feels that while the road scheme complied with guidance policies, in practice the layout is unsafe and needs to be thought through again.
Last year a 19-year-old was taken to hospital with serious injuries after coming off his motorbike. The vehicles involved collided as the motorcyclist was travelling from Sundorne Road from the A49 towards Heathgates roundabout and the car was travelling on Meadow Farm Drive in the direction of Sundorne Road.
Mr Pardy said: "In June 2013 I approached the highways department at Shropshire Unitary Council and conveyed concerns that I and many of my constituents had about the road layout and pelican crossing adjacent to the Severn Fields Health Village. It wasn't until November 2013 that I was able to get an officer on site.
"The concerns were lack of vision to the right for drivers when exiting the village, Arriva buses turning left out of Meadow Farm Drive having to cross the centre of the Sundorne Road or to avoid this having to drive over the nearside kerb.
"The pelican crossing, even though within regulations, is far too close to the roundabout, taking away attention of drivers from the roundabout or vice versa. It also causes vehicles to queue across the roundabout.
"Even though signposted, the signage is not adequate and drivers do not seem to be noticing it as many speed or have to heavily brake when approaching the roundabout.
"In November 2014 an accident occurred, a motorcyclist was hospitalised and the car driver was distraught. In January 2015 another accident involving two vehicles occurred causing great distress.
"And more recently a near miss happened whereby someone was crossing at the pelican crossing when a car crossed her path on red, causing other pedestrians to cover their eyes. I was told that the layout was within regulations although they were 'only just within regulations'."
Councillor Pardy added: "Officers have told me that redesign will be put forward for capital funding, but will be in competition with other problem areas for funding.
"The people of Sundorne know what goes on at this spot more than anybody else, they don't need to be told whether or not it is safe or not. I want this layout to be attended to as soon as possible otherwise we may well have a tragedy on our hands, it is unacceptable to leave it as it is."
Shropshire Council was unavailable for comment.
