Call for action to make Weston Hills crossroads safer - after 30 crashes in less than 18 months

People living near a dangerous crossroads want to see action taken to make the junction safer — after recording 30 crashes in the area in less than a year and a half.

Emergency services were once again called to Mill Drove North and Fulney Drove crossroads, on the outskirts of Weston Hills, last Monday after a smash which resulted in a car ending up in a ditch.

Debris from previous accidents can be found scattered around the road — which is used as a rat run from the A16 at Cowbit to Fulney.

Coun Anthony Casson is one of the people fighting for improvements to be taken to improve the four-way crossroads and feels safety was improved when the Mill Drove North entrance with the A16 was shut for months due to repairs during 2022 before reopening at the end of that year.

He said: “There have been 30 accidents in that area since the road reopened.

“It is my worry that someone is going to be killed on this crossroads. I know I go on about it but surely to goodness something wants to be done.

“That road was closed for a long time and there weren’t any accidents. It is a race track as people use it as a cut through.”

He added: “Something has to be done before someone gets killed.”

On one morning alone last week, Coun Casson counted at least three large lorries using the road and breaking the weight limit along with drivers not slowing down or looking ahead for potential hazards.

He also highlighted a hedge on Mill Drove North obscures the view of the crossroads, which may prevent drivers from seeing the problems.

Coun Casson added: “You cross that road with your life in your hands. It is ridiculous.”

Lincolnshire county councillor Nigel Pepper has also been calling for improvements on the junction.

He said: “Although it may seem this site has gone quiet, I understand there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes. Highways are in the process of coordinating possible solutions to the matter following investigations from the Local Highways Team, Operational Asset Team and Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership. Also speed surveys are being used to analyse and feed into the data of the potential outcome.

“The county’s highways are striving on improving this difficult situation with the best interests of the local and wider community for the safety of the residents and drivers.”

Assistant director of highways at LCC, Karen Cassar, said: “In response to local concerns, covert seven-day speed surveys were completed on both Mill Drove North and Fulney Drove in October 2023.

“The average speed of vehicles on both roads was 42.9mph, with one percent or fewer vehicles exceeding the speed limit. Collisions at this location focus at the crossroads and exceeding the speed limit is not considered a factor.

“Lincolnshire County Council’s Accident Investigation and Prevention team, and the Local Highway team have been working together to identify improvements that can be made to the junction to help prevent future collisions. This work continues.”

The issue comes amid calls to boost safety on the A16 between Crowland and Peterborough.

What do you think? Let us know your views in the comments below…