‘STILL dangerous’ – that is the verdict of some motorists using the new crossroads in Hillmorton Lane, which has reopened after problems with the gradient caused it to close within hours of first opening in February.
Abrupt changes in gradient caused cars to scrape tarmac at the junction, which links to the under-construction road between the new Houlton development and Clifton Road, when it first opened over two months ago.
And some residents say there has not been enough improvement after it re-opened on Friday (April 5) following remedial work by contractors Galliford Try.
On social media, a van driver said: “If it wasn’t for the two sets of traffic lights I could have taken off on the ramp.”
Another motorist added: “Totally unnecessary anyway and the road surface is still dangerous,” while another compared the section of road to ‘rolling hills’.
Some noticed a new sign on The Kent, the road which leads to the junction, saying ‘unsuitable for long vehicles’ – prompting a resident to speculate: “I think it’s because they will still be scraping the road at the bottom of the hill, as the modification isn’t much of an improvement.”
But others had no issues with the gradient, including Hillmorton County Councillor Yousef Dahmash.
He said: “I drove it at the speed limit and it was fine for me.
“I have asked the county officers why there are warning signs for long vehicles and have been told that they are to provide information and as a precautionary measure.”
Galliford Try declined to respond to The Observer’s inquiries, instead passing them on to Warwickshire County Council (WCC) on whose behalf they built the junction.
A WCC spokesman said: “We have revisited the design and rectified the alignment. The gradient has been changed and the problem area regraded to eliminate the problem of cars grounding.
“The sign has been added as a precaution. We do not envisage long vehicles using the road.”
Some motorists have complained the new traffic lights which turn the road under the nearby railway bridge into a single-lane route are unnecessary.
The WCC spokesman said: “The lights were a planning condition. The new development means an increase in traffic and we have to control the flow.”
The roadworks were funded and managed by Houlton master developers Urban & Civic, at no cost to the taxpayer.
The under-construction 1.5 mile link road will connect the existing Clifton Road junction at Butlers Leap to the edge of the fledgling neighbourhood of Houlton. It is due to open later this year.
