Fears over roundabout

DANGEROUS and poorly designed" mini roundabouts are under the spotlight after a number of near misses and an accident involving the wife of an ex-Uttlesford district councillor.

Concerns over two roundabouts grouped together at the junction of Dunmow Road and Great Canfield Road in Takeley have grown over the last six months, according to the villages' district councillor Derek Jones,

He said: "They are very dangerous, especially in the wet. They are too close together and hardly noticeable from the eastern approach. Locals get used to them but anyone who is new to the area could easily get caught out."

Cllr Jones explained that he had heard of several minor crashes there and one had involved an ex-councillors wife whose car had almost been written off.

"The solution is to raise the middle up or put something like a bollard in the middle of it to make it safer," he said.

During the last six months two representatives from the highways division of Essex County Council have made a number of site visits to observe the problem and talks are said to be well underway in finding a solution.

Highways assistant area manager, Peter Massie, said: "It may be that if the roundabout was raised or a bollard was added it could make it impossible for larger vehicles such as lorries to make the turn."

As the nearby Priors Green development becomes larger, shops and leisure facilities will be added, as outlined in a planning application submitted this week. This would increase traffic using the roundabouts.

Cllr Jones addressed worried residents at a meeting on Tuesday night. He said: "Originally the roundabouts were poorly designed. We are talking with the head of highways on the matter and we have been told that work will be done. It is actively being pursued."

WE want your opinion. E-mail us at editor@dunmow-broadcast.co.uk or write to us at 54 High Street, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1EE.