Multi-vehicle smash prompts ‘severe delays’

A multi-vehicle smash involving a lorry along a major route has prompted significant delays. A car and van were also involved in the accident this afternoon on the A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road in Sevington, Ashford[1].

Bellamy Gurner's four-way junction has replaced the previous roundabout on the A2070

Drivers have been told to expect delays on the approach, with Kent Highways labelling the severity "high". It is due to an incident on the route's controversial new junction called Bellamy Gurner.

A spokeswoman for Kent Police said: "We were called at 2.40pm on Wednesday to reports of a collision involving a car, a van and a lorry. "Officers attended to clear the road and assist with recovering the vehicles. "Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible."

Kent County Council (KCC) Highways says traffic lights are not believed to be working properly on the junction.

A map of the new 'Bellamy Gurner' scheme in Sevington, Ashford

Speaking online, one person wrote: "Massive crash at Orbital due to lights being out. "Expect it will be closed for a little bit or very congested [and] so slow." Another person noted: "Drove through this morning [and] lights were all out.

A previous crash involved a white BMW on the A2070 in Sevington, Ashford

"Said to my husband there will be an accident.

Hope everyone is okay." Paramedics and fire crews were not called to the incident. The former roundabout near McDonald's has been replaced with four-way traffic lights as part of a road improvement scheme named "Bellamy Gurner".

Some drivers have already branded the new layout "confusing" and an "accident waiting to happen[2]". A pedestrian barrier and a set of new traffic lights were damaged during the crash last April[3].

Several crashes have happened on the A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road following changes to the layout

Police were also called to the scene of a crash involving two vehicles a month prior. Meanwhile, a woman was taken to hospital after a three-car crash in September 2022[4].

It led to further drivers criticising the new junction last year.

One person claimed: "How long until this horrific junction takes a life?"

References

1. ^ Ashford (www.kentonline.co.uk)
2. ^ accident waiting to happen (www.kentonline.co.uk)
3. ^ during the crash last April (www.kentonline.co.uk)
4. ^ in September 2022 (www.kentonline.co.uk)