Hampshire Chronicle | News, sport & leisure from Winchester, Eastleigh and Chandler's Ford

Make ‘danger’ junction safer

From the archive, first published Wednesday 30th May 2007.

RESIDENTS living near a junction on a major route in and out of Winchester say action needs to be taken to improve safety, after two accidents in less than a week.

Roland and Mary Short, who have lived in Harestock Road for more than 30 years, and their neighbour, Margaret May, 89, who has lived near its junction with Andover Road North for nearly 60 years, say something needs to be done about safety at the crossroads.

Last Tuesday a Renault Clio and Rover 45 were involved in a crash near to Well House Lane; one of the drivers was treated for minor injuries.

The previous week, on May 16, a woman in her 70s had to be cut free from her car after a collision at the junction. She was also taken to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital for treatment.

Last month, on April 15, the occupants of an MG sports car escaped with minor injuries when it ended up stuck under an HGV after an accident near Harestock Road.

Mr Short, who lives with his wife about 100 yards from the junction, said: "I would like a roundabout there, it would slow people down. There's a 50 mph limit, but I've seen motorbikes doing 100."

He said there was a fatal accident there a few years ago, and he feared more people would be killed if nothing was done.

Any changes would have to be implemented by Hampshire County Council, the highways authority.

Mrs Short, who was involved in an accident at the junction herself a few years ago, added: "It's an absolute blackspot.

"I think they should reduce the limit to 40 mph because no one takes any notice of it. It's just horrendous."

Mrs May said there were too many accidents at the junction - a roundabout or traffic lights would be a solution.

Lib Dem city councillor for Littleton and Harestock, Jacey Jackson, said research needed to be done before deciding what measures to take.

"I'm not sure what is the best solution for that junction," she said.

"I'm not sure what's caused the accidents. I guess it's speeding and not giving consideration to the people crossing."

Charlotte Bailey, Lib Dem county councillor for Winchester Downlands, said she had spoken to council officers about the junction, who confirmed that they were monitoring it.

"The thing that concerns me is that Hampshire County Council tends to look in terms of the number of injury accidents," she said.

"If there is a certain number of them they will look at making some changes to the junction or a least look at the causes of the accidents."

A spokeswoman for Conservative-controlled Hampshire County Council said the junction would be looked at, with the help of police, as part of the Casualty Reduction Partnership.

She said the authority would investigate what additional measures could be put in place in the short term.