More safety concerns for Mead Way junction after another crash

More safety concerns have been raised about the revamped Mead Way junction after a crash on February 23.

The two vehicles involved in an accident on Mead Way (Image: From public)

Swindon Borough Council said that whilst the junction did pass its safety audit, they were aware of public concerns and "will be bringing forward changes which we believe will lessen the likelihood of accidents when motorists encounter the junction".

The scene of a crash at the traffic lights on Mead Way (Image: From public)

After an extended period of roadworks, Mead Way reopened last year with an extra lane created in the existing street from the Meads roundabout, and traffic lights replacing a mini-roundabout at the turning to Stonehill Green and the Westmead Industrial Estate.

But since then, motorists have claimed the revised layout of the junction has led to crashes due to poor visibility when turning right onto either of the side streets.

A car and a van collided at this intersection last April, and two cars crashed into each other in November.

Police at the scene of the accident on February 23. (Image: From public)

One of the motorists involved in the latter accident, who did not wish to give his name, contacted the Adver after he drove past yet another collision on the same spot last week.

He said: “It’s dangerous, a real health and safety issue. The council is failing in its duty of care to road users.

“How did they not notice this problem when they designed the new layout? Are they waiting for a fatality to happen?

“I was turning right onto Stonehill Green but could not see anything because of the HGVs turning right onto the industrial estate, and there’s no filter lane or light.

Police attend a crash at the Stonehill Green junction on Mead Way (Image: From public)

“The lights were green, but cars don’t go 30mph down that road, they’re often speeding. There was a gap in the traffic so I turned and a car in the lane next to the HGVs smashed into mine

“When I went to the garage, the man there said there had been so many accidents since Mead Way had reopened, and some residents have told me the same thing. My car was a write-off.”

The aftermath of a crash at the Mead Way traffic lights in April 2022 (Image: Newsquest)

Councillor Gary Sumner, cabinet member for strategic infrastructure, transport and planning, said: “I asked our highways officers to monitor the junction earlier this year after becoming aware of some public concerns about road safety at the new road layout at this location.

“The junction did pass its safety audit, but the continued safety of motorists and pedestrians is a priority.

"We’ve been monitoring the junction on video for a period of time to gain a clearer understanding of driver behaviour and will be bringing forward changes which we believe will lessen the likelihood of accidents when motorists encounter the junction.”