SOMERSET Council recently announced plans to make upgrades to a notoriously dangerous junction in the county - details of which have now been revealed.
The Miner's Arms junction, near Wells, has recorded 35 reported collisions over the past 20 years, 11 of which were deemed serious, and three of which were fatal.
Measures being taken by the council to make the junction safer include and a new section of road plus a slowed speed limit from all directions.
Currently, the B3134 junction onto the B3135 Plummers Lane is situated directly opposite the Old Bristol Road junction on the other side of the road, meaning drivers commuting to and from Bristol are forced to cross straight over the national speed limit road.
However, new plans to realign the junction will re-route the northernmost of the two roads, by implementing a new section of carriageway which will join the B3135 Plummers Lane to the east of the two currently opposing junctions.
This will mean drivers will have to turn left or right onto the B3135, before then making another turn onto the next road, rather than crossing straight over the main carriageway.
40mph speed limits will be introduced, slowing vehicles down from 60mph in all directions when approaching the junction.
Read more: Dangerous junction to receive crucial safety-driven upgrade from council
In addition to these plans, two attenuation ponds will be created, with one situated on either side of the B3135, in order to improve drainage.
Other plans for the junction include improvements to the existing carriageway, and designated clear areas to improve visibility, meaning the junction will be visible from 160 metres away when travelling on the B3135.
Work is set to commence on Monday, April 29, and the scheme is expected to be complete by July.
It is anticipated that most of the work will be done using temporary traffic lights, although some short closures will be required, and advance notice of these will be given by the council at a later date.
Chief Inspector Robert Cheeseman, Head of Roads Policing at Avon and Somerset Police said: “Our primary concern is always road safety, and we recognise that road design plays a critical role in mitigating risks on our roads.
"The proposed changes are a positive step towards reducing the potential for collisions.”
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