Shipston demands action to improve the Portobello Crossroads

Shipston residents and councillors have joined forces to demand action following another fatality at the Portobello Crossroads on the Fosse Way. 

The Portobello Crossroads has been the site of a number of serious and fatal accidents in recent years. The latest, resulting in the death of a 25 year old man, prompted local residents, and district councillor Jeff Kenner, to set up a campaign and petition, demanding a roundabout be installed at the junction to minimise further accidents.

The online petition attracted 1,000 signatures within the first 36 hours, and now has the support of nearly 2,000 people, including paper-based signatures. As a result, the County Council will have to consider the petition at its next meeting on the 5th February.

A number of residents attended the town council meeting in January to express their concerns about the junction. Mr Kitely started a campaign to improve safety on Facebook having had to use the junction for many years. Ms Westwood expressed fears about young, inexperienced drivers having to navigate the junction, particularly those travelling to and from school.

All town councillors expressed strong concerns about the safety of the Portobello Crossroads, and also highlighted the Darlingscote Rd/Fosse Way junction as another dangerous crossing. 

Mayor, Philip Vial, said: “The accident on Christmas Eve is the latest in a series of serious incidents. Warwickshire County Council must prioritise this stretch of the road for safety improvements before another death is added to the statistics.” 

In addition to supporting the petition, Shipston Town Council will write to the County Council to demand short and long term safety improvements at both junctions, particularly in light of new housing developments which are likely to add to the weight of traffic using the routes.

Councillors also voted to request Section 106 money from any future developments on the Campden Road to help fund safety measures on the Fosse Way.

Residents wanting to sign the petition can do so by visiting www.democratic.warwickshire.gov.uk/cmis5/Petitions.aspx or calling in to New Clark House before 5th February.