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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Abigail O'Leary

Confused drivers using 'UK's worst roundabout' demand action after spate of crashes

A rogue roundabout has been branded the worst in Britain after a series of crashes - because confused motorists drive straight through it.

Drivers demanded action after insisting the road markings are so unclear many motor through the twisting and turning junction "without even noticing a roundabout."

And government officials have promised changes following a series of crashes at the "unmagic roundabout" on one of Wales' busiest roads.

An eight-year-old boy suffered a head injury on New Year's Eve in a three-car pile up at the dangerous spot at Croesbychan on the busy Head of the Valleys road.

An eight-year-old boy suffered a head injury on New Year's Eve in a three-car pile up at the dangerous spot at Croesbycha (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Grandmother Angela Williams, 62, said she was travelling with her husband Kenneth, daughter Emma and grandson Leeroy before the smash.

She said the other driver appeared not to see the roundabout and did not slow down - leaving Leeroy with a head injury, cut neck and whiplash.

Angela said: "He's traumatised terribly. It's going to take him a while to get over this."

The grandmother has called for better lighting and signage after saying the road was almost "pitch black" at the time of the crash.

The new road layout was installed as part of a Welsh Government scheme to create the Court Lodge underbridge near Hirwaun, South Wales.

A temporary roundabout was put in place to replace a staggered T-junction while the new flythrough road is being built.

The current layout has been in place since May - but drivers are calling for the "dangerous" roundabout to be changed following the crashes.

Drivers demanded action after insisting the road markings are so unclear many motor through the twisting and turning junction "without even noticing a roundabout." (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

The work is being carried out by Future Valleys who say changes to the road are restricted due to space.

Councillors Karen Morgan and Adam Owain Rogers, who represent Hirwaun, Penderyn, and Rhigos, issued a statement.

They said: "We attended a meeting this morning with the contractors and again shared the many concerns we have received about incidents and near-misses.

"Future Valleys stated that signage is adequate and they have recently installed extra lighting. They also explained the constraints to making any other changes to the roundabout (space being the main factor)."

"If work progresses as planned there will be changes to the layout of the roundabout in the next six to eight weeks which hopefully will reduce the risk of drivers who treat it as a straight-through road.

"Future Valleys said they were unaware of many of the incidents/near-misses we described."

The move has faced a backlash online as drivers say there have also been a string of "near misses."

One mum said: "Let’s hope we can get through the next eight weeks without there being a fatality.

"Every day there are near-misses and a lorry went straight through today leaving me in the middle of the roundabout.

"Will report it. I know my daughter and another car owner whose cars have been written off in last three weeks."

Another driver said: "I witnessed a very, very near miss yesterday. A car just kept driving through the roundabout as if there was no junction or roundabout visible."

A Welsh Government spokesman said roadworks are ongoing for the next "planned traffic management switch" to allow the construction of a grade-separated junction and two bridges.

The new layout will remove the roundabout's eastern arm and "make it much more obvious there is a roundabout present to reduce the risk of drivers missing the give-way line."

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