National Highways Launches Safety Review of A46 Junction Following Fatal Collision

National Highways has confirmed plans to carry out a comprehensive safety and traffic study on a busy section of the A46 near Lincoln, as concerns continue to grow over the number of accidents and congestion affecting the route.

The review will focus on the Skellingthorpe Road roundabout, a junction that has long been the subject of safety concerns from local residents and road users and was recently the scene of a fatal collision.

Investigation Comes Amid Safety Concerns

The announcement follows a serious crash in March involving two cars and a livestock lorry, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old man.

Lincolnshire Police subsequently arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was later released under investigation while inquiries continue.

Although National Highways has stressed that the planned study was already in development before the incident occurred, the fatal collision has intensified calls for improvements at the junction.

Local MP Calls for Action

Lincoln MP Hamish Falconer has been among those pressing for changes, arguing that conditions at the roundabout have become increasingly problematic.

He said urgent action is required, describing the current situation as unacceptable and highlighting the need for measures that improve both safety and traffic flow.

The junction serves as a key connection point for commuters, freight traffic and local residents, with congestion frequently reported during peak travel periods.

Residents Highlight Long-Term Problems

People living close to the roundabout have also voiced concerns about the frequency of collisions and near misses.

Local resident Bonita Walker said incidents at the junction have become a regular occurrence, with the sound of emergency braking often heard from nearby properties.

She described the volume of traffic attempting to join the A46 from Skellingthorpe Road as particularly challenging and suggested the scale of the problem was greater than she had anticipated when moving to the area.

Another resident, Jackie Sanderson, highlighted the difficulties faced by pedestrians, describing the junction as increasingly intimidating and difficult to navigate safely.

She noted that crossing the roundabout had been challenging for families for many years and believes conditions have deteriorated further as traffic volumes have grown.

Study to Examine Safety and Congestion

National Highways says the review, scheduled to begin later this year, will examine options for improving both safety and operational performance at the junction.

The agency recently met with local MPs, community representatives and residents to discuss concerns and gather feedback ahead of the study.

Phil Shaw of National Highways said the organisation's primary objective is to identify the most effective solution for reducing risks while improving traffic movement through what has become one of the area's busiest intersections.

Balancing Growth and Road Safety

The planned assessment comes at a time when many parts of the strategic road network are facing increasing pressure from rising traffic levels, housing growth and changing travel patterns.

Safety reviews such as the one proposed for the A46 are often used to evaluate potential engineering improvements, traffic management measures or longer-term infrastructure upgrades that could reduce collision risks and ease congestion.