A frustrated advanced driver has criticised the layout of a notorious city roundabout, calling it ‘confusing’, ‘dangerous’ and potentially ‘lethal’.
Mike Kent, chairman of the Worcestershire Group of Advanced Motorists, says the Ketch roundabout in Worcester is poorly designed, with unclear lane markings – and he does not believe traffic lights will help.
The Ketch roundabout lies on an arterial route, where the A4440 Southern Link Road in Worcester meets the A38, the main road between the city centre and Kempsey.
However, the roundabout has been dogged by safety concerns and has come under increasing scrutiny following a series of crashes.
Other issues include complaints about speeding, noise nuisance and car cruising on the bypass itself.
INJURED: Police were on the scene of the motorbike and car crash at Ketch Roundabout in September (Image: Newsquest)
We reported in July how emergency services had partially closed Ketch roundabout after a crash involving a motorbike and a car on Saturday, July 25.
The ambulance service was called to reports of a road traffic collision on Temeside Way (A4440) in Worcester at 8.40am on Saturday, July 25 and sent an ambulance and the Midlands Air Ambulance to the scene.
On April 12, 2024, a driver crashed into the Ketch roundabout, leaving a damaged Toyota Hilux on the roundabout. Multiple emergency services attended, including police, ambulance and two fire engines. Crashes have also been reported very near the Ketch, including the nearby Carrington Bridge (Temeside Way), when a car ploughed into the side of the bridge, damaging the parapet.
INJURED: Police were on the scene of the motorbike and car crash at Ketch Roundabout in September (Image: Newsquest)
Last month, we reported that more than 1,000 people have signed a petition, created by Cllr Louis Stephen, calling for traffic lights at the Ketch roundabout.
However, Mr Kent said: “Traffic lights on the Ketch roundabout would not solve the fundamental problem of bad design and confusing lane markings, and would simply cause even greater congestion than there is at present.”
Mr Kent described the eastbound slip road from the Southern Link onto the A38 as “simply lethal,” comparing it to an earlier slip road at the Whittington roundabout that was eventually redesigned for safety reasons.
AFTERMATH: The crash on the Ketch roundabout involved a Toyota Hilux (Image: Newsquest)
He also criticised the positioning of signs that inform drivers about lane choices, saying they are placed too close to the roundabout for unfamiliar drivers to react safely.
He said it was ‘causing frequent incidents of cutting in on leaving the roundabouts’.
Mr Kent also raised concerns about inconsistent speed limit signage.
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He said: “As the representative of an organisation dedicated to road safety, I have attempted several times to enter a dialogue with the Highways Department both directly, and through the West Mercia Police road safety team, and have failed miserably on every occasion. Don’t expect a sensible solution any time soon.”
Cllr Louis Stephen, a Green Party county councillor for St Peter’s and city councillor for Battenhall, said: “Mike makes some good points. I note his frustration with Highways. In many ways I share them.
AFTERMATH: The crash on the Carrington Bridge near Worcester at Christmas (Image: John Renshaw)
“Even if we don’t agree on all the solutions I think we can both agree something needs to be done. I will never give up in championing solutions to solve the very real issues I see on this road.”
He also extended an open invitation to Mr Kent to meet with him to discuss his concerns.
John Renshaw, chairman of St Peter’s Parish Council, has highlighted safety concerns on the Ketch roundabout and the A4440 Southern Link Road in Worcester.
Mr Renshaw said he shared Mike Kent’s concerns and some of his points had been raised previously since the roundabout was redesigned.
He added: “In particular, the filter lane from the Southern Link Road eastbound onto the northbound A38 towards Worcester has led to some drivers taking detours to avoid the roundabout completely.
“I certainly don’t expect the installation of traffic lights at the roundabout to be a silver bullet in resolving the flaws in the roundabout’s design.
“According to Worcestershire County Council’s Local Transport Grant Delivery Plan, which was discussed at the cabinet meeting on September 24, traffic lights wouldn’t be installed at the roundabout until 2029.
CONCERNED: John Renshaw, chairman of St Peter’s Parish Council, has consistently highlighted issues with the Ketch roundabout (Image: Supplied)
“Installation will be dependent on research pointing to a need but by then a considerable number of new homes will have been built along the A38 between St Peter’s and Kempsey such as the Hopfields development. The expectation therefore is that the A38 northbound approach to the roundabout will be considerably busier at peak times than it is today. Traffic lights may be necessary to enable the flow onto the roundabout from both the A4440 and the A38.
“In the meantime residents living near the Southern Link Road have to put up with the noise, car cruising and other anti-social behaviour associated with this road.”
Safety at the Ketch roundabout also pertains to broader concerns about the safety of the A4440 generally, which has not only been raised in St Peter’s but also by councillors in Warndon Villages.
CAMPAIGN: Cllr Louis Stephen (left) and Councillor Steve Cockeram at the Ketch roundabout are exploring how to make improvements (Image: Cllr Louis Stephen)
We reported in June last year how a 22-year-old crashed at the roundabout between St Peter’s Drive and Norton Road, a short distance from the Ketch.
It is understood that any signage, road layout or changes to infrastructure are within the remit of Worcestershire County Council, not West Mercia Police’s road safety team.
A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “Work at the Ketch roundabout took place as part of the Southern Link Road programme and underwent a Road Safety Audit before the programme was completed. As a result of that audit, a number of improvements were made, including additional lane markings and signage.
“In response to local concerns, a further Road Safety Audit (Stage 4) was commissioned in 2025. This found that the number of reported injury collisions on this section of the A4440 has reduced since the dualling was completed, with the overall injury collision rate falling by more than 50%.
“There are currently no plans for further changes at the roundabout, as no additional measures were recommended through the audit process. The route is continuously monitored in relation to collision investigation.”
