South Leicestershire MP, Alberto Costa, has sought an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt. Hon Grant Shapps MP, over safety concerns about the A5 following a recent fatality.
Alberto is due to meet the Transport Secretary to discuss the stretch of the A5 between the Magna Park/A4303 junction and Junction 1 of the M69. This particular part of the roadway, which includes the Smockington Hollow and High Cross junctions, is a notorious blackspot for collisions – last week a woman died following a ‘serious’ two-car crash at the High Cross junction.
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.
Alberto said, “I am deeply concerned about the high number of collisions and fatalities on this particular stretch of the A5, including the recent tragic death of a woman last week. Many constituents and regular road users will know that the junctions at High Cross and Smockington Hollow are particularly dangerous and have been for some time. Many of my constituents are, quite understandably, concerned about this portion of the A5 and I agree with them that it is high time something is done to address this and improve safety for all road users, hence why I will be meeting with the Transport Secretary in early course”.
Harborough District & Leicestershire County Councillor, Rosita Page, added, “As the local councillor for the area, I know first hand the very serious safety concerns many residents have about this stretch of the A5. I have been working for many years alongside Highways England in the A5 partnership meeting to evaluate safety of the carriageway and the risks at the two junctions. I am very pleased that Alberto is taking up this issue with the Government on behalf of residents; working in partnership we must try to secure measures to protect road users. The access on to the A5 from the villages and road layout must be evaluated and safety measures must be put in place without delay”.
Alberto concluded, “For far too long this stretch, and in particular the two junctions at High Cross and Smockington, have been unsafe for road users, the high frequency of collisions is hugely unacceptable and the recent tragic loss of life at High Cross only underlines the need for urgent safety improvements. I will press this issue with the Secretary of State at our meeting, and will ensure the Department for Transport and Highways England take swift and decisive action to improve road safety as soon as possible”.
Picture above shows Alberto speaking in the House of Commons.
