Safety plan for scary junction

HIGHWAYS chiefs at Warrington have drawn up a road safety plan after receiving a protest petition from 60 residents worried by a “scary” junction.
But the scheme for the junction of Fowley Common Lane with the A574 Warrington Road at Glazebury, has still needs checking out for possible drawbacks – and a lack of funding could mean it will not be implemented for some time.
Motorists living in Fowley Common Lane and Hebden Avenue feel they are taking their lives in their hands every time they turn right on to Warrington Road to drive in the direction of Culcheth.
They cannot see traffic travelling from the Leigh direction until they reach the centre of the road – and drivers coming from the same direction cannot see them either.
There are blind bends on both sides of the junction and a dip in the road that makes the problem worse. A number of accidents have taken place at the scene, including a recent one in which a garden wall was demolished.
Petition organiser Elaine Durrington said no-one declined to sign the protest to Warrington Borough Council.
She said: “Turning right onto the main road is really scary. Quite a few people admitted they turn left and drive as far as the Raven pub and then turn round on their car park.
“We think there could be a serious or fatal accident here if nothing is done.”
Highways officers have come up with a plan to realign the carriageway at the junction, projecting the give-way line in Fowley Common Lane 2.5 metres into the main road.
Mrs Durrington said: “The scheme is still subject to a safety assessment and, even if it is approved, will have to be prioritised, along with other schemes across the borough.
“The council says funds are likely to be limited and other schemes could be given greater priority.”