FURIOUS Pershore residents have begun a campaign for a roundabout at a notorious junction, which they say would ease traffic misery.

With a new estate in Pardoe Road, a new crossroads has developed with Station Road and Wyre Road - and temporary four-way traffic lights at the junction have been introduced to the area.

The plan is for these lights to become a permanent fixture which developers have planning permission for, but residents furious with the queues of traffic caused by the temporary ones have begun a campaign against this.

More than 500 have joined a roundabout pressure group on Facebook, while a similar number have signed a petition calling for the installation of a roundabout instead of traffic lights.

Residents have flooded the Facebook group with comments saying the crossroads is an accident waiting to happen, that the situation gets worse as new properties become occupied and add to the traffic, and that motorists have reported being stuck on Station Road for more than 20 minutes at times.

Gaynor Amphlett, who set up the Facebook page and petition, said: "We have been promised that any permanent light's will be smart lights.

"This is meaningless because traffic will still be being stopped for no reason whatsoever.

"We believe that a roundabout at this site would be the most appropriate.

"Drivers have always fed into the traffic very well naturally - the approach to a roundabout is in fact a traffic slowing measure.

"The temporary lights have shown that getting off the estate is at times very difficult.

"Environmentally, having queues of traffic in this area being held up by lights is a bad situation with regard to car exhaust emissions.

"Residents are feeling very angry, frustrated, ignored and badly let down by the situation that has developed.

"We are calling on all parties to get there head's around the solution, to this before an accident occurs."

Liz Tucker, who represents Pershore on the county council, said: "There are strong feelings on the town council that there should be a roundabout there.

"But a roundabout is considered by highways to be more dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists.

"You have to take safety concerns seriously - if something happens you could never forgive yourself."

Cllr Ken Pollock, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure said: "The detailed engineering design for the new junction at Station Road and Wyre Road by the developer continues.

"The safety and convenience of all highway users is our main priority, and we are always happy to receive the feedback and comments of local residents.  

"Wychavon District Council's planning committee approved the planning application that included traffic signal control and this is still considered the most appropriate form of junction control for this location. 

"The county council as Highways Authority recently met with Pershore Town Council to discuss the matter in detail. 

"However, the county council is not the promoter of this scheme and potential changes to the scheme must therefore be addressed to the developer in the first instance."