DESPERATE calls have been made for safety measures at a notorious junction in Shipston after a driver was killed two days before Christmas.
Julios Catachanas died when his car was involved in a crash with a lorry at the Portobello crossroads junction where the B4035 meets the A429 Fosse Way.
The 25-year-old from Derbyshire was driving his Citroen C1 along the B4035 away from Chipping Campden around 6pm when it was in collision with a Royal Mail lorry travelling towards Stratford.
Mr Catachanas was rushed to University Hospital at Coventry following the accident on December 23 but died the following day.
His death has prompted residents to call on Warwickshire County County to take action before the accident blackspot claims another life.
And a petition started by Shipston district councillor Jeff Kenner has already gained more than 1,350 signatures.
He told The Observer: “Following this latest tragic accident people are saying loud and clear that action must be taken now to implement safety measures and reduce the risk of further accidents at this dangerous point.
“I have written to the chief executive of the county council calling for old plans for a roundabout to replace the crossroads to be dusted off and implemented.
“Roundabouts are optimum solution for road safety – anything less will not do. The council has resources to fund this work and should prioritise it because of the present and continuing danger.”
And fellow Shipston district councillor, Richard Cheney, is backing the move.
He said: “My thoughts go out to all the families concerned on this sad occasion following another accident on this dangerous crossroads.
“I am asking the council to look again at the dangerous situation at this crossroads and seriously consider building a roundabout.
“This is even more important given the large increase in traffic due to the developments already approved and proposed along the Campden Road in Shipston.
“Much of this traffic will inevitably end up at the Portobello crossroads and needs to be carefully controlled to prevent more accidents.”
A county council spokesman confirmed Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police would be investigating the circumstances behind the crash, which he said followed ‘a recent and emerging trend’ of recorded collisions at the crossroads.
He added: “We will be investigating the underlying causes behind these collisions and, where practicable and justified, establish possible measures to mitigate future injury to road users.”
More than 1,000 people have joined the ‘Roundabout for the Portobello Crossroads’ Facebook group.
Visit https://democratic.warwickshire.gov.uk/cmis5/Petitions/tabid/90/ID/61/Portobello-Crossing-A429-B4035.aspx to sign the petition.
The notorious Portobello crossroads. (s)
