IT is despised by thousands of motorists and now a controversial slip road has been deemed too dangerous for learner drivers taking their test.

The slip road, at the junction of the A127 and Upper Mayne, Basildon, has been removed from the Basildon driving test route by the Driving Standards Agency.

The slip road was supposed to make journeys easier, but drivers have complained you have to crane your neck to see the traffic.

A spokesman for the Driving Standards Agency said: “The particular road being referred to was removed from the test route because the design of the junction did not allow the examiner in the passenger seat to gain effective vision, which is essential for the safety of candidates, examiners and other road users.”

Alfie Swan, 54, who manages BDC Driving School, in Billericay, said the junction was a nightmare for both learner drivers and instructors.

He said: “The visibility from the slip lane is bad whether you are in the driver’s seat or the passenger’s seat, because it is such a tight angle, you have to look over your shoulder to see oncoming traffic.

“Having it removed from the test routes is a good thing. It was putting examiners and people taking their tests at risk. It’s exceptionally dangerous.”

Essex County Council installed the lane a year ago. Last month a Mercedes Coupe and a Mini Cooper, were in collision on the slip lane on February 21.

The driver of the Mini was a driving instructor who was not working at the time. It is thought this accident contributed to the Driving Standard Agency’s decision to remove the junction Mr Swan said: “The instructor involved in the crash is a top-grade instructor who knows exactly what he’s doing, which shows how dangerous it is. He was turning left from the slip road, off the A127 towards Billericay, when he got hit from behind.”

County councillor Tracey Chapman, responsible for highways, said: “Essex County Council has received a number of calls regarding the slip road layout.

“The council can assure residents the design and construction of the slip road conforms to the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, the basis on which all highway schemes are designed and constructed.

“There have been no recorded injury collisions on this slip road since the work on the layout was completed. The junction will continue to be monitored while drivers adapt to the changes.”