'Serious concerns' over A5 traffic island

[Madhatter]

TWO serious road collisions on the same traffic island in under a fortnight have prompted two councillors to seek improvements to prevent further incidents.

A collision between two cars at the A5 island in Mancetter brought traffic to a standstill off the Carlyon Road Industrial estate in Atherstone on Monday morning (June 2).

One motorist was cut free from their car by firefighters using specialist equipment.

Little under two weeks ago, at the same island, a car collided with a lamppost and again the driver was cut free by firefighters.


County Councillor Chris Clark, who represents the Hartshill ward that includes Mancetter and Atherstone South, said: “I am deeply concerned about the serious nature of these two incidents and that they have happened on the same island on the A5 at Mancetter.

“I will be consulting with the traffic authorities at Warwickshire County Council to see what can be done to improve safety on the island.

“We do not want to see another serious accident there.”

His concern was shared by Atherstone Town Cllr Ray Jarvis, who also believes the large island, known as the Witherley island, and approaching roads are often left too overgrown.

He said: “Sometimes it’s quite difficult to see traffic and judge what’s coming because it’s so overgrown in places.

“I’m not saying that it has led to these two accidents, but it’s not helping and someone needs to stay on top of it.

“Hopefully our borough and county councillors can get answers and report back to us all.”

A number of comments were left on the Herald Facebook page (Atherstone and Coleshill Herald).

Samantha Hopkins, said: “The council should try cutting the grass people would be able to see at the roundabout then!

“I have to use that roundabout on my commute to work and it’s awful at the minute the grass is too long, it’s dangerous.”

Deana Shelley added: “I live just up the road and continually see drivers driving like idiots around this island, they are making improvements further up the A5 but seem to have forgotten Mancetter’s Suicide Island.”

The Herald understands the upkeep of the island is the responsibility of the Highways Agency.

Read more at www.tamworthherald.co.uk/concerns-A5-traffic-island-Atherstone-collisions/story-21192855-detail/story.html#zTmTmWKE8ZK7zU0s.99

[Madhatter]

Third Accident actually. There was a truck that went over a couple of months ago, a car went into a lamp post last week and now this.

It doesn't help that the grass isn't cut on the apron to the island. The rumble strips have also worn off. There isn't enough warning of the danger at the roundabout so people therefore approach it far to fast. Also because of the shape and priorities traffic slows and even queues in the off side lane of the south bound carriageway to follow the roundabout around to the north bound carriageway and mancetter exit. A car travelling fast southbound glances right to Atherstone and sees the way is clear , carries on without slowing much and is suddenly blocked by slow moving traffic.
It doesn't help that the path along the A5 from the footbridge has grown up and been destroyed, also around the roundabout is grown over and no path exists from Atherstone to Carlyon Road.
Highways spent a load of money putting paths in on the A5 at Burbage to change the feel of that section of road from urban to suburban and yet our paths are left to grow over.

Also the slip and A5 by the slips north of Atherstone have been stripped of all signage. There's nothing to tell A5 drivers that the slip from the town merges and I've had several near misses there. Coming into the town the chevrons have been removed, white paint on the kerbs has faded and there's nothing to warn drivers of the sharp spiral into the town. Another accident waiting to happen.

[Madhatter]

'known as the Witherley island'
Actually it's Mancetter Roundabout, which we'd know if the sign saying it was a roundabout was actually still up on the Northbound carriageway. The corresponding southerly sign on the by pass remains in place.