STRATFORD'S MP John Maples has welcomed the news that improvements to Salford Priors' 'suicide island' have been set for early February.

Mr Maples has received a letter from the Highways Agency confirming the start date for work at the A46 roundabout, which has been dubbed by some motorists as 'suicide island' because of cars crossing from the south side of the roundabout at excessive speeds.

The roundabout was given the dubious title because of the high visibility afforded to drivers approaching the island from the Evesham direction, and near misses encountered by drivers entering from Salford Priors. A report in 2001 confirmed that because of the good visibility, motorists were making decisions too far in advance, resulting in seven accidents between 1995 and 2000. Five of these saw people suffer serious injuries.

Highways Agency route sponsor Bob Bilbie said the improvement scheme, which includes new advance signs, yellow bar markings to reduce approach speed, kerb re-alignment and screening to lessen motorists' visibility, will take between four to six weeks to complete.

The first part of the work will be the kerb realignment, which will force drivers approaching the roundabout to slow down.

Mr Maples said: "Although this is a welcome announcement, the fact remains that the residents of Salford Priors and those who use the A46 have had to wait nearly seven years for these improvements to be made. This is blatantly not good enough."

Referring to previous correspondence with the Highways Agency, he added: "Uncertainty over the scheme was due in large part to the Highways Agency changing its management agent.

"This reason does not excuse the delay experienced in making this junction safer and this has been made apparent to those concerned."