We have been contacted by residents concerned about safety at the above junction due to the number of buses traveling along Alwyn Road (4 every hour since the routes changed). We asked the council to assess the situation and received the following response from the Traffic and Road Safety Officer -

"I have had a look at your concerns regarding the safety of the above junction, and would like to make the following points.

In the last five years there have been two recorded SLIGHT personal injury accidents;
- Car travelling SW ran into rear of car waiting to turn right into Alwyn Road
- Car travelling NE collided with car turning right out of Alwyn Road on nearside

Although two accidents are two too many, realistically these figures and these type of accidents are not deemed enough to warrant remedial measures. For this type of road, low numbers of turning accidents are to be generally expected and are usually nothing to do with the road itself.

At the junction, I didn't note any potential safety issues and I watched a bus use the junction slowly and safely. I am confident that the additional buses using Alwyn Road are not making the junction any unsafer. I can also confirm that the bus drivers themselves have not reported any problems.

I appreciate that I was only there for a short time but I can only judge on what I see and I saw nothing to raise immediate concern. I did notice that the layout of the junction markings, together with the lack of a physical build out on the western side of the junction, was a non-standard design, but I wouldn't say it was unsafe. I also thought the lining on the approach to the junction was satisfactory.

I am satisfied that suitable road safety measures are in place at this location.

However, I can make you aware that the whole length of Longfield Road is to be reviewed shortly as part of a Safer Routes to School scheme, and additional safety measures will be discussed and implemented if required. The Alwyn Road junction will be included in this review and could be altered to accommodate proposed measures.

Many thanks for raising this issue and I can assure you that I will continue to monitor the junction for accident growth"

Many thanks to residents for raising this concern and thanks to the council for a prompt response.