Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire, is to meet Highways England bosses to discuss safety concerns over the A5 following a number of recent collisions.
Alberto is due to meet the Midlands Divisional Director of Highways England in early January in order to discuss the South Leicestershire stretch of the A5 – between the Magna Park junction and Junction 1 of the M69 – following recent collisions, including a number of fatalities, at the Smockington Hollow and High Cross junctions.
Research undertaken by the House of Commons Library has shown that between 2010 and 2018, 14 collisions have taken place at the Smockington Hollow junction alone, four deemed ‘serious’, with a further 15 accidents at the A5/M69 interchange.
Prior to the General Election, Alberto had arranged to meet the Secretary of State for Transport to discuss these concerns, however the meeting was postponed due to an election being called and Parliament being dissolved.
Alberto said, “I very much share the serious concerns many of my constituents and road users have over this portion of the A5 and especially with regard to the Smockington Hollow and High Cross junctions, both of which, in recent weeks, have seen a high number of collisions. This stretch of the A5 has long been known as something of an accident blackspot, and so it is imperative that Highways England take the appropriate action to improve safety for all road users at the earliest opportunity”.
Harborough District & Leicestershire County Councillor, Rosita Page, added, “The A5 has been an accident hotspot for decades and it is appears to be getting worse. More dwellings and businesses have led to over intensification of traffic on the road, however we need to combine the commercial aspect with the needs of ordinary commuters and make it viable and sustainable in the long term, but most of all safe to travel on”.
Alberto concluded, “The recent high frequency of collisions, and the tragic loss of life, on the South Leicestershire portion of the A5 is simply unacceptable, and only underlines the real need for urgent safety improvements. I understand that Highways England have proposed a number of improvements scheduled for March later this year, and I look forward to seeing these plans in more detail and working with them, and members of the local community, to see effective safety measures in place soon”.
Picture above shows Alberto speaking in the House of Commons.
