No work is being planned to improve a “dangerous” Derby junction despite fresh calls amid claims more accidents and near-misses are happening. Last month it was reported that a residents’ group in Littleover called for urgent talks over the Manor Road central reservation with Eastwood Drive – dubbed the “Russian roulette” junction.
Residents living nearby have long claimed the lane filter to enter Eastwood Drive is being used dangerously by some motorists for U-turns to get to the other side of the A5111 Manor Road, or as a shortcut to beat traffic light queues further down the road.
The group has entered discussions with Derby City Council and Derbyshire police about their concerns but nothing has changed, they say. They have written to Derby North Labour MP Catherine Atkinson about the matter.
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Just weeks ago, the North Eastwood Road Safety Campaign group said they believed more accidents were happening on the road. They have been calling for a meeting to take place with council officers but this hasn’t yet happened.
In December Eastwood Drive resident Bal Mahal claimed there had been at least four accidents within a few months. Photos were sent of accidents but it was not clear what caused them.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has seen a response to the residents’ concerns from Ms Atkinson’s parliamentary representatives. Most of the reply is a forwarded response from “the Derby City Council CEO” which is Paul Simpson – who states no work is currently planned but the junction does remain subject to review.
Mr Simpson is quoted as saying to the MP’s representatives: “The specific point regarding the U-turn, and the explanation of how drivers are responsible for their actions, has been set out in detail in previous correspondence. The (campaign) group are fully aware of the situation, along with the reasons for not closing the central reservation, which has been in place for many years and existed when the route was managed by the national trunk road agency.
“No future work is planned at this location and the gap is not being routinely monitored. It will be reviewed just like any other part of the public highway, in line with national and local policy, should data suggest that future intervention is required.”
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A representative for Ms Atkinson MP told the campaign group in the correspondence: “I appreciate that this will be a disappointing response, but it does confirm that it will be reviewed in line with national and local policy should data suggest that future intervention is required.”
Mr Mahal said: “The road dangers from use of the new road layout gap are obvious to see by any bystander. Also, the road markings on the Manor Road gap are now severely faded, which has further increased confusion for road users which is adding to the danger at this location.”
Mr Mahal added: “The next step for us as a campaign group is to put together an online road safety video highlighting the dangers of the layout of the central reservation gap junction with Eastwood Drive.”
A spokesperson for Derby City Council said last month: “The council has fully engaged with the community in the Eastwood Drive area. In 2022, a formal public consultation was carried out and the results showed that a clear majority of local residents did not support making changes to the junction.
“Residents should raise any concerns with their local ward councillors.”
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