Safety measures are set to be rolled out at a North Staffordshire accident blackspot as highways officials investigate an ‘unexpected’ increase in collisions. The junction between the A500 and Alsager Road, near Audley, has seen a spate of accidents in the last few weeks, most recently on 8 October when a car and a van collided, says Stoke in Trent Live.

In September a woman was left with serious injuries following an accident involving a tipper lorry and a car. National Highways is now planning to implement a package of measures aimed at improving safety. The announcement comes as Newcastle MP Adam Jogee has presented to Parliament a petition, signed by more than 260 residents, calling for safety improvements at the blackspot. National Highways says there were four personal injury collisions at the junction between 2019 and 2023.

David East, route manager at National Highways, said:

“In response to concerns about safety at this junction we have reviewed the signage and lining. Whilst there are no concerns regarding the existing signage and markings, we have looked to see if there is anything we could further do to improve safety here.

“As a result, we are planning a package of measures including new enhanced signage and liaising with sat nav companies to make driving instructions clearer. In the meantime, we will introduce temporary signs as an interim measure while we investigate why there has been an unexpected increase in the number of collisions here.

“Safety is and always will be our priority and we will continue to work with police and the parish council to ensure this junction is as safe as it can be.”

(Pic: Mapillary)