Oswestry A483 junction backed despite crashes

The work on the A483 Maesbury Road junction in Oswestry has been brought in to boost safety, but has seen two accidents in the two weeks since it opened.

But councillors have defended the work and urged people to give it a chance and let the works bed in.

They say they are confident work to improve the junction on the edge of Oswestry will help reduce accidents. They have praised the work and say collisions will decrease once motorists get used to the new layout.

The junction, which was a notorious accident blackspot, was closed for five months to allow for safety improvements.

Kier carried out work on behalf of Highways England, putting in a traffic lights and widening the approach in both directions.

During the first weeks of opening two accidents occurred, prompting comments online that the new system won't work.

However, local councillors this week defended the new layout and told motorists to give it time.

Parish councillor Rob Milton said people need to learn how to use the road system properly.

He said: "I think the new system is tremendous and the problems that have been caused have been worthwhile.

"It has made me think why hasn't this system always been like that.

"I have approached it from all directions and have had no problems.

Better

"People need to give it time to work and to use the road system properly."

Oswestry town councillor Mike Coppock added: "I have used it going across to Knockin to get supplies and it seems fine and simple to use.

"It isn't great we've had these accidents already.

"It has caused a great deal of disruption, cost a lot of money and cost businesses money so we really want to see it work.

"I've seen some comments from people about rights of way, but I think people need to get used to it.

"It is for the better, so people need to get used to it, bear with it and it will work."

Highways England senior project manager Jessica Kenny said: “We constantly review the safety of all junctions and where improvements have been made we’d encourage motorists to familiarise themselves with the new layout.

“Now work at this junction is complete, motorists will benefit from safer as well as smoother journeys.

“We’ve improved the layout of the junction by installing traffic signals to smooth the flow of traffic, reduce queuing on either side of the A483 and improve safety for both pedestrians and motorists.

“An additional lane has also been added in both the north and southbound directions to improve traffic flows and street lighting has been upgraded.”