A HAMPSHIRE councillor has pressed for swift action to improve the safety of a notoriously dangerous junction in Basingstoke.

Councillor Stephen Reid, Hampshire County Councillor for Basingstoke North West, addressed the county council’s highways and transport workshop to argue the case for making improvements to the Wellington Terrace and Roman Road junction in Winklebury.

Cllr Reid said the scheme, which had previously not been given priority, should be prioritised due to the danger of the junction, and he called for the scheme to be implemented as soon as possible.

In March 2012, a man died following a car accident at the junction. Under the improvement proposal, a “no right turn” sign would be erected at the junction and people wishing to turn from Roman Road into Wellington Terrace would be directed round the A339 roundabout and back on to Roman Road in order to make a left turn into Wellington Terrace.

Cllr Reid told The Gazette: “Before I pushed them, it had been added (to the list) but it had no priority at all, so I argued that it should be pushed.”

He added: “Cars whip off the A339 roundabout at high speed and immediately encounter the dangerous junction.

“This small suggested change should reduce the possibility of a collision. It isn’t a complete solution but it’s a step in the right direction.”

Officers at Hampshire County Council’s highways department have now agreed to raise the priority of the scheme and the improvement is expected to be implemented in 2015-16.