Pub chalkboard campaign at dangerous junction

A board outside the pub states the number of days since there was last a crash

A landlord has been chalking up the days in between crashes at a crossroads outside his pub after several incidents in recent weeks.

Locals have called for changes at the A521 junction with Draycott Cross Road outside the Huntsman pub in Cheadle, Staffordshire.

Landlord Conor Bernard Devine started using an A-board in August to raise awareness of the issue, and updates the board daily to highlight the number of days since the last crash.

Staffordshire County Council said it had recently repainted road markings and would consider what changes might be needed at the junction.

Mr Devine said since he had started placing the A-board on the path outside his pub there had not been a full two-week period without accidents.

“You hear a big bang… you come running out and there’s a car on its roof again,” he said.

“It’s a question of time before someone gets killed out there,” he added.

The most recent crash, between a car and a van, happened on Thursday.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said a woman and a girl from the car were treated for injuries not believed to be serious, before being taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital.

They added a man and a teenage girl from the van were also treated for injuries, not believed to be serious, before being taken to the same hospital.

Alan Bentley has lived in the area for more than 60 years, and said it had been getting gradually worse over the past few years.

“It isn’t safe,” he said. “I’d like a big roundabout, a massive roundabout to slow them down, or traffic lights.”

Four people were taken to hospital on Thursday, according to West Midlands Ambulance Service

Local councillor Gary Bentley said the crash on Thursday was the third in the last six weeks.

“I definitely think we should have traffic lights,” he said.

“Your heart goes into your mouth, making sure everything’s alright,” he added.

Mark Deaville, cabinet member for strategic highways at the county council, said the most recent crash was still being investigated, but that his “thoughts go out to those involved.”

“Once we have all the information, we will look to see if any action is required at the location,” he said.

“Keeping our roads safe remains our priority and we do listen to residents and work with local communities if they have concerns about road safety in their area.”

He said the road markings at the junction had recently been refreshed after the council was made aware they had worn down, and added that he would be meeting with highways managers in the coming days to discuss concerns about the junction.

“Safety at these crossroads is a high priority for me," he said.