The 'frightening' junction villagers say they avoid using

The junction is on a busy stretch of the A43 dual carriageway between Towcester and Northampton

A coroner has called for changes at a road junction after a 65-year-old woman was killed last year.

Concerns have previously been raised about the turn for Tiffield on the A43 in Northamptonshire, with a new special school planned for the village.

But why is the junction seen as so dangerous and what can be done about it?

Tiffield - with its population of about 350 - sits between Northampton and Towcester off the A43.

To enter the village from the southbound carriageway, vehicles have to cross the two lanes of northbound traffic.

While people leaving the village and heading south have to cross two lanes of the northbound carriageway.

The A43 is one of the busiest roads in the county, linking the M1 and M40.

Dee Wardle has lived in Tiffield for about 20 years and says everyone complains about the junction

A fatal collision happened there shortly after 17:00 GMT on 13 March.

Northamptonshire Police said it involved a Ford Focus and a Volkswagen Golf near the junction with St John's Road.

The Volkswagen's driver, Jane Bennett, from Towcester, was taken to hospital in Coventry and died two days later.

Dee Wardle, her manager for many years, said she was a lovely, kind, bubbly friend who would do anything for anybody.

She said the incident had left her "angry and upset" and wanted the road to be changed.

Tiffield Academy is due to open in September 2025 with 252 places

A new school for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is set to open in the village later this year.

An estimated 25 buses will be using the junction, as well as private hire taxis and parents at drop-off and pick-up times.

"On a morning it's going to be horrendous, it really worries me, there needs to be traffic lights or a roundabout, something needs doing before anyone else gets killed," Ms Wardle said.

"You can't gauge the speed people are coming up at and when it's dark you can't tell at all. When there are trees and bushes, it's even worse.

"How many people are going to die before they do something?"

Debbie Barrett said Ms Bennett was a "lovely person"

Debbie Barrett from Northampton knew Ms Bennett for 10 years. They had been having their hair cut at Ms Wardle's house on the night of the crash.

She said she heard sirens from emergency service vehicles shortly after Ms Bennett left. The next day they discovered she had been in an accident.

"She was so looking forward to retiring and her grandson was due to be born.

"That junction frightens the life out of me. I hate it, you can't judge what speed the traffic is doing, there are no lights, you're taking your life into your hands trying to cross it.

She believes it needs a roundabout or other improvements.

Louise James said the road was a major link between Oxford and Northampton

In her report, Northamptonshire's senior coroner Anne Pember, said: "The junction of St John's Road, Tiffield and the A43 Northamptonshire is very difficult to manoeuvre."

She said she agreed with people who told the inquest there could be more fatalities at the junction.

Tiffield Parish Council chairman Louise James grew up in the area and said the council had been aware of problems with the junction for about 30 years and its "heartfelt sympathy" went to Mrs Bennett's family.

She said most villagers "won't use it because of the volume of traffic and the lack of visibility".

"Sadly it does take a tragedy to highlight how unsafe the junction is."

She would like a roundabout installed but is worried it will cost too much.

Other options include traffic lights, extra speed cameras, long acceleration lanes, more signage to warn people to slow down and a speed limit reduction, she said.

Paul Thomas said he was lucky not to have been injured when he was involved in a crash at the junction in 2016

Ms James said it would be a "wonderful addition" to the area but is worried that it will only increase traffic and is concerned there "could be more fatalities".

Paul Thomas from Northampton was involved in an accident at the crossing in 2016, when he crashed into another driver who pulled out.

He said, as he was driving at about 70mph (113km/h), he had "no chance to break" and both cars were "written off".

"No one was seriously injured, but that was out of luck.

"Every time I go past it now I go considerably slower, it scares me even now, I tense up and I'd rather not come this way, it unnerves me."

He thinks changes need to be made but does not think a roundabout would work, but believes the middle should be blocked off.

National Highways said: "The safety of those using our roads is at the heart of everything we do, and our condolences remain with the family and friends of Jane Bennett and everyone affected by this tragic incident.

"We will review the coroner's comments and provide a comprehensive response to the coroner's report."