A 'CONCERNED' councillor has called for urgent road safety improvements after a fatal crash at a notorious junction after complaining about the dangers for years.
A woman in her 20s died and a man was critically injured after a crash between a car and a school coach at the B4208 at Welland, by the Danemore Crossroads.
The bus was on its way to pick up schoolchildren at Hanley Castle High School and the road was closed for several hours in the aftermath of the crash on Tuesday.
Cllr Wells, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board, said: "I have raised serious concerns with highways officers about this location for many years, yet no one seems to have been really listening. There have been minor improvements involving cutting back the hedge and additional new signage earlier in the year. But that's about it."
In the letter he said he was writing on behalf of residents who used the junction and added: "It is time for the highways department to take this seriously and take the necessary action to address road safety at this accident cluster spot."
He added: "Sadly one person has died and another is very seriously injured. This involved a school bus and a car. Thankfully, the school bus was empty on its way to pick up pupils at Hanley Castle High School.
"The circumstances have yet to be confirmed, but reports would appear to suggest that the car was travelling from the Hook Bank direction crossing the carriageway heading towards Malvern when it collided with the bus coming from Welland.
"I understand that the police will conduct an investigation as is required in these tragic circumstances. Having examined the accident record in the last five years, it shows there have been two serious accidents and one slight collision at the location.
"There are, of course, many unrecorded bumps and shunts as well as near misses. Looking further back, there have been other recorded fatalities.
"I ask that a thorough road safety audit is urgently undertaken and that all engineering options, such as traffic signals and a mini traffic island, are properly considered with a view to implementation as soon as practicable."
A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council, said: “Our thoughts remain with those affected by the incident earlier this week.
“Changes have been previously made to the junction to improve visibility and we await the full Police report to inform any further action that may be taken.”
Three ambulances and the air ambulance were called to the scene at around 3.30pm on Tuesday.
The woman, in her 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene after paramedics realised nothing could be done.
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The driver of the car, a man in his 30s, was found to have life threatening injuries, when emergency services arrived, and he was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham for specialist care.
The coach involved was the UP10 Astons bus which was on its way to pick up students from Hanley Castle High School.
The driver of the coach was checked by paramedics but decided not to go to hospital.
Five fire engines - two from Malvern, and one from Droitwich, Ledbury and Hereford were all called out to the incident and helped to get the two people out of the car.
Police officers have launched an appeal for anyone with information about the crash.
Those with information can contact PC Nick Warren by emailing nicholas.warren@westmercia.police.uk.
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