PRESSURE is growing for the layout of a new junction to be changed before there is a fatal smash, as readers have now told their stories of vehicles nearly slamming into them.
The latest crash in which a man hit a wall and telegraph pole on the A38 Worcester Road, on the Copcut junction opposite the Copcut Elm pub, happened on Monday morning. Firefighters used cutting gear and small tools to cut the roof off the BMW to free the man, who was later taken to hospital.
That crash followed another between a car and a motorbike on January 16 when a motorcyclist and his passenger were seriously injured, with them both rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for specialist treatment.
After those reports numerous readers shared their stories of cars overtaking and attempting to cut in since the junction opened in the autumn.
Tina Brettell said: "We drove there and someone overtaking cut right in front of us nearly pushing us off the road."
Craig Harris said: "It's a nightmare car nearly hit me."
Antonia Law said: "Someone cut me up on here and we nearly crashed. I’m a learner, makes me on edge now whenever I’m at these traffic lights."
Julie Kearney added: "Filter lane is a problem. A lorry with a tractor on the back overtook me and a line of traffic on the way in to Droitwich last week.
"He may of presumed traffic in the left lane was turning left. Either way there will be a fatality the way the layout is."
Marcin Kuta said: "Every day there are multiple idiots there trying to overtake queuing cars by accelerating and trying to squeeze in with high speed or harsh breaking.
READ MORE: Another crash at new Droitwich junction sparks fears of fatal smash
"Road design should eliminate risks, not allow drivers with "need for speed" to express themself. All of it for couple of seconds gain before next traffic lights."
Dan Hook said: "Really hope this does get sorted. Have often seen cars flying past at high speed, using the lane to overtake. Ridiculous."
Mark Bingley said: "Worst junction planning I have ever seen very dangerous as the comments here and the four accidents have shown", while another added: "I'm absolutely staggered the highways department allowed this new road layout to be approved."
The crashes are taking place at the lights as vehicles heading southbound have a choice of two lanes, which quickly merge into one.
Previously the road layout had no second lane heading in that direction, as instead the middle of the road was used for vehicles heading northbound to turn right into Pulley Lane.
A reporter went out to the junction yesterday and saw cars travelling at speed through the section, traffic using the second lane to overtake those in the inside lane, and some even just driving in the middle of both lanes at the merge point, which was caught on video.
The nearby resident who lives next to the junction said: "There have been three crashes there in four weeks.
"We have been dealing with people with their legs the wrong way round, people crawling out of car with broken legs and arms.
"I've raised this with the developers and the council, but it has fallen on deaf ears.
"They have put an overtaking lane at a very dangerous crossing. You do that you get within a few weeks two major accidents at that junction. They keep crashing into the wall."
A spokesman from AC Magnet Cars, also near to the junction, added: "Something needs to be done, it is like a racetrack round here."
Meanwhile Bill Alloway has shared a picture of car completing missing the two lanes and middle bollards, and overtaking on the wrong side of the road.
Mr Alloway said: "I have been concerned about the junction since it was completed.
"I was overtaken (on February 1) at that junction and the vehicle overtaking me then proceeded to pass the keep left bollard on the right hand side.
"I do hope that something will be done soon."
Worcestershire County councillor Tony Miller, whose division Bowbrook covers the area, said he was concerned about the junction, but it had not yet been adopted by the council and was still the responsibility of joint developers Redrow Midlands and Persimmon Homes.
But Warren Jennens, technical manager at Redrow Midlands, said: “The designs for the junction were approved by the county council and it has been constructed in accordance with these drawings.
"The council retains responsibility for its ongoing safety and functionally.”
Worcestershire County Council was contacted for comment on Monday, but had still not responded yesterday before the Worcester News went to print.
See Worcester News for the video.
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