‘Significant concerns’ over busy junction

Talks are set to take place over 'significant' safety concerns at the Lime Lane junction with Morley Road on the edge of Derby (near the Kings Corner pub). Images by LDRS

The manager of a Derby pub is living in “constant” fear vehicles could crash into the beer garden due to safety concerns over a busy junction.

A meeting has been requested due to safety concerns at the Lime Lane and Morley Road junction on the edge of Derby, near Oakwood.

The “incredibly busy” junction, close to the Kings Corner pub, has been the location of several serious incidents in recent years, according to the Crash Map website.

Safety concerns at the junction have been ongoing for some time due to Lime Lane’s 60mph speed limit.

The city junction, on the border with Derbyshire County Council’s highways, can generate long traffic queues at peak times.

Oakwood councillors want to meet with county council leaders to discuss concerns following a number of police incidents.

Their letter to Derbyshire County Council reads: “The junction has seen a great number of road traffic incidents, some recorded, but many ‘bumps’ or ‘scrapes’ never being logged.”

Suggestions for improvements from members of the public so far include better lighting, traffic lights or a mini roundabout.

Derbyshire County Council has said that a number of road-marking improvements on Lime Lane were carried out in February last year.

However, nearby residents and the manager of the Kings Corner pub have said more improvements are needed “before someone is seriously hurt”.

Phil Brown, manager of the Kings Corner, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) he and staff were in “constant” fear someone may crash into the pub garden due to high speeds of vehicles along Lime Lane.

He said he has called for improved lighting and believes new lane markings actually made speeding a greater possibility.

Nearby resident Nirmal Hoyer described the junction as “dangerous” and agreed a meeting was needed.

Mr Hoyer, who has lived at Morley Road for 30 years, said: “I’ve seen at least four or five accidents in recent times. The problem is you are going into a 60mph road [from Morley Road].

“It’s not well lit, especially at night. Good lighting can sort a lot of the problems out.”

However, another resident didn’t believe there were safety issues. He said: “If you take it easy you are ok.”

The county council said it was assessing data regarding the junction.