Junction safety concerns raised after latest collision at Southwell crossroads
Highways and councillors will have blood on their hands if something is not done about a dangerous junction, according to a resident.
It followed another accident at the Normanton/Southwell crossroads on Friday, which left an elderly woman hospitalised.
Normanton resident Len Brown has complained to Via East Midlands, which is responsible for the county’s highways, urging the 50mph speed limit to be reduced to 30.
“Once again we are having to complain about another accident at this dangerous junction,” said Mr Brown.
“Via can’t continue to allow vehicles to travel at 50mph from Hockerton to Southwell. It’s a busy junction, with a lot of elderly drivers crossing towards Reg Taylor’s Garden Centre.
“We have complained about this before. The speed limit needs to be changed to 30mph from the Hockerton hill above Normanton and, perhaps, there needs to be rumble strips too to stop speeding vehicles smashing into cars crossing this junction.”
Mr Brown said he would consider taking action against Nottinghamshire County Council if something was not done.
He said: “I really feel strongly that, unless something is done soon, when someone is inevitably killed at this accident blackspot — the highways team and county councillors will have blood on their hands.”
Having witnessed the crash on Friday, a doctor also got in touch with the Advertiser.
Dr Helena Clements, a consultant paediatrician for child death in Nottinghamshire, said she was only two seconds away from being involved in the crash herself.
“I immediately went to the aid of the couple in the car. The driver was an elderly gentleman who seemed to be OK and had a minor head injury. His wife in the passenger seat was initially unconscious but happily came round and seems to have neck and shoulder injuries.
“There was a significant rescue operation by fire and rescue, air ambulance and other paramedic crews to safely remove the lady from the car and take her to hospital.”
“I believe that two second difference could easily have ended up with my own death and I will have to consider my approach to cycling through this crossroads in future. It is well known to be dangerous.
“One of my professional roles is designated paediatrician for child death in Nottinghamshire. Sadly, over the years there have been a number of child deaths on our roads both as pedestrians and cyclists. We should not have to wait for a death to make our roads safe and this needs to include rural as well as urban environments.
“As a keen cyclist, mother of three children, grandmother and paediatrician, I feel strongly that people including children should be able to cycle safely on country roads and that these need to be designed as such.”
In a statement issued to Mr Brown, Via East Midlands said: “We are aware of the incident that occurred on these crossroads. Please be assured this issue is being looked at and we are considering what options we can take to make the crossroads safer.”
