Drivers using dangerous junction after road closure

The road will remain closed until at least June

Residents living in a Cotswold village say they are being forced to use a dangerous road junction where there are "deaths and accidents regularly".

It follows the closure of a minor road from Brimpsfield to the A417 as part of the Missing Link scheme to build a dual carriageway between Gloucester and Cirencester.

The closure means locals are using the busy Birdlip junction on the A417 for the most direct route to Cirencester, which involves crossing both lanes of traffic.

National Highways said it "understands the concerns of the residents" and that work was being phased "very carefully to minimise the impact on local communities and motorists".

The closure means more people are using a busy junction on the A417

Martin Smith, who has lived in Brimpsfield for nearly 50 years, said there are "deaths and accidents regularly" on the junction.

He explained drivers end up waiting at the junction for a gap to appear.

"If a lorry is coming it's probably doing 30 or so miles an hour, but motor cars they can sometimes be going 60 or 70," he said.

"Very recently I was at that junction, taking two of my family to Kemble and a car came over the top and I thought, I've got plenty of time. But then I thought, No, I haven't and the car hit me up the backside while waiting to join the main road, so it is a notorious junction," Mr Smith added.

He said "on the positive side", rat running through the village "is probably going to come to an end, when the missing link is done".

Another resident, Patrick Daley, said it was "a terrible junction".

"Since we've lived here two women have been killed. It is dangerous and people who are coming up the hill are very pleased to be on the flat again, so put their foot down.

"You have to be very conscious to get out safely, so I take my time".

Residents are worried about using the "notorious" road junction

The road was initially supposed to close for six weeks from March, but now looks set to remain shut into the summer.

Steve Foxley, National Highways' project director for the Missing Link scheme, said they were doing "everything we can" to minimise disruption and keep residents informed.

He added: "We understand the concerns of the residents at this location, and we will be opening the local access road by early June, or earlier if possible."

"For safety reasons, drivers are unable to access the A417 due to the contraflow in place but access remains from the Elkstone/Highwayman Inn junction" he said.