Junction danger (From Stroud News and Journal)

Junction danger

ANGRY residents are demanding that the Pitchcombe A46 junction be completely redesigned, after an SNJ report highlighting the latest in a long line of accidents.

Spokesman Stephen Rowley said that the SNJ front page of Wednesday, April 20 had "spurred members of the local community into action to get something done about this dangerous junction."

The report featured beauty therapist Candy Clark, 21, who narrowly escaped death in a collision with another vehicle where the A46 joins the A4173 Gloucester road.

She was pulled from the smoking wreck of her Smart car, and is convinced that it was only the location of the engine - which is underneath the driver rather than in the bonnet - that saved her life.

Residents have arranged to meet representatives from Gloucestershire County Council at the junction at 8am on Thursday, May 26, to present them with a survey.

Mr Rowley said: "We are asking anyone in the county who has had an accident or seen one at that junction to get in touch with us.

"Anyone who lives here know that there is an accident every week. Many residents try to avoid the junction but the alternative access to the village, near the church, is just as bad if not worse.

"Every year they ask the County Council to change the junction, but they are fobbed off every time.

"This junction has caused misery, injury and financial cost to hundreds of people since it was built in the 1950s.

"Villagers are very clear that the junction needs a complete redesign, and urgently."

A spokeswoman for the county council said: "Representatives from the County Highways and Road Safety teams have agreed to meet Pitchcombe residents and we are happy to discuss any issues or suggestions they wish to put forward."

Mr Rowley believes that many accidents go unreported to avoid increases in insurance premiums. He said that respondents to the survey will remain completely anonymous.

If you have witnessed an accident, Mr Rowley can be contacted at traffic@artension.com or by telephone on 01453 763181.

Alternatively, send your experiences to the chairman of the parish council, Barn View, Wragg Castle Lane, Pitchcombe, Stroud, GL6 6LU.