Fears temporary lights will cause fatal crash

Work is being carried out on the A4174 Wick Wick roundabout

People living near a busy ring road have said they fear someone will die because of temporary pedestrian lights.

New permanent traffic lights, a crossing, a wider path and a bus stop are being installed on the A4174 in Emersons Green, with a temporary crossing in place on the Wick Wick roundabout while the work is carried out.

However, residents have claimed the temporary layout is an "accident waiting to happen", as motorists wrongly think a green pedestrian light is a signal for them to go.

South Gloucestershire Council said it had painted temporary give way road markings for greater clarity following feedback from residents.

The work began on 16 June and is scheduled to last for 11 weeks. The council said it is being done to "enhance facilities for buses, walking, wheeling and cycling".

To highlight the problems with the temporary road measures, four residents filmed on the roundabout for 20 minutes.

In that time, they claimed they witnessed "about 40 near misses".

'Distressed'

Resident Vanessa Blount said the confusion was caused by green lights at the temporary pedestrian crossing, which motorists mistook for traffic lights signalling for them to go.

"As locals, we can see the problem and we're aware of it," Ms Blount said. "But, if somebody's not familiar with what's going on and they come tearing down the ring road, they're going to plough into somebody and kill somebody."

Another resident, Martyn Howe, told the BBC the junction was "inadequately signposted" and said many notices and signals were obstructed.

He said he had experienced "two or three" near misses as a motorist, while his wife saw a pedestrian "almost run over on the crossing where a car failed to stop".

Tracey Blythe, who also lives in the area, has said she fears someone will be killed.

"It's not been thought out," she added. "You can see an accident waiting to happen."

She called for the roundabout's usual traffic lights to be reinstated while the work is carried out.

In a statement, the council acknowledged the feedback on the road layout and said it had installed new, temporary give way markings "to avoid further confusion".

"We thank members of the public for bringing this to our attention and apologise for any inconvenience while the work takes place," it added.