'Substantial work' needs to be done on A road

Councillor Andrew Eade said improvements to the A518 would save lives

An independent report has made six recommendations to improve road safety along a busy road in Shropshire.

Replacing missing or damaged traffic signs and bollards and introducing new "SLOW" road markings were among suggestions made for the A518 near Telford.

A woman in her 50s died when a BMW and Audi A5 crashed in April, one of 15 accidents recorded by Telford and Wrekin Council along a stretch of the road between the Clock Tower Roundabout in Donnington and the Sheep Island near Newport, between June 2020 and April 2025.

A councillor has called for further safety measures to be put in place at key junctions along the 3.8-mile (6.1km) stretch. The council has been asked for a comment.

In total, 24 people were injured over the five year period, three fatally. Seven were seriously hurt.

"There have been a number of fatalities on this road and other accidents of varying degrees, which is extremely worrying, and they keep happening," said Andrew Eade, the Conservative councillor for Church Aston and Lilleshall.

"There is quite a substantial amount of work needing to be done.

"The council has spent near £50,000 on signage at the junction to Brockton Leasowes. But to make the road as safe as we can, it'll cost between £200,000 and £250,000."

The report has recommended that damaged bollards are replaced

The council's A518 collision investigation and prevention review, carried out by highways consultants at Amey, suggested improvements to three key junctions of the A518, at Kynnesley Drive, Wellington Road and Liddles Bank.

They include replacing missing or damaged traffic signs and bollards, introducing new "SLOW" road markings; refreshing worn road markings; and improving signs with yellow backing boards.

The report's "speed survey" said the 60mph speed limit along the A518 is "considered appropriate".

It also showed that, when compared to other national A-roads, the stretch of single-carriageway has experienced a lower "killed or seriously injured" rate "per billion vehicle miles (BVM)" and a lower total rate of collisions per BVM.

Eade wants the junction with Wellington Road to be prioritised for improvement.

"I've asked council officers to look into trying to take out the right-hand turn [off the A518 towards Lilleshall] because the filter lane is right in the middle of speeding traffic.

"It may be easier to carry on along the road for a short distance and turn around on the island and gain access that way."

About 10,000 vehicles used the stretch of road on any given week day, a May 2025 study said.

The BBC has approached Telford and Wrekin Council for comment.