THE number of crashes on a notoriously dangerous road increased more than fourfold last year.

Statistics released by the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) showed there were ten smashes where people were hurt in Berechurch Hall Road, last year, compared to just two in 2018.

In total, four of those crashes were deemed by police as serious.

Cyclists, pedestrians and children were all recorded as being hurt on the two-mile-long stretch of road in 2019.

In one incident, reported by the Gazette, a car flipped over.

Dave Harris represents the area on Colchester Council and Essex County Council.

He said there were long-standing issues on the road, with pedestrians, motorists and properties all at risk.

“There is a four-way junction linking it with Berechurch Road and Bounstead Road which I have submitted to the Local Highways Panel for something to be done,” he said.

“The layout there is not good.

“It might be safe if people are all doing 28mph but we all know that probably isn’t the truth.

“It is quite a complex junction.

“What is the solution?

“I’m not sure, maybe a roundabout or traffic lights might work, but I am not a highways engineer.

“There have been cars turning onto their side and crashing into hedges.

Gazette:

“When you get to that situation lives start to be at risk.

“The process takes time and while we are waiting, more and more crashes could happen.”

Mr Harris has previously raised issues around overgrown vegetation blocking safety signs for roundabouts on other locations on the road.

The statistics also showed that on the Colchester section of the A12 - between the Ardleigh Interchange and Kelvedon- there were 46 smashes on the road where people were hurt last year.

In total, ten of those crashes on the 13-mile stretch were categorised as causing serious injuries and one was fatal.

A 37 year-old motorcyclist sadly died following a collision on the major trunk road close to Marks Tey in November.

His Honda motorbike was in a crash with a Volkswagen Crafter van and a Renault Clio.

A women in her 20s and a man in his 30s sustained minor injuries.