Dangerous Driving at Westleigh Junction?

PETROLHEADS have been using a new traffic light system and dual carriageway combination at the Westleigh Junction as a type of race track, according to drivers.

The £630,000 traffic light scheme at the controversial A39 Westleigh Junction opened last month, in a bid to calm traffic and reduce queues.The junction in the past has been branded as dangerous following several fatal and serious accidents.

The North Devon Journal launched a campaign for improvements to be made to the layout and Devon County Council (DCC) responded by deciding to introduce traffic lights, rejecting a roundabout as too expensive.

But despite DCC also putting a new 40mph speed limit in place, some drivers keen for an adrenaline rush, have been seen using the new layout as a drag track.

Drivers have been spotted lining up and revving their engines at the lights, before speeding away on the dual carriageway when the lights turn amber.

The behaviour has been condemned by both DCC and the police, who have said they will come down hard on anyone caught speeding.

The police have said they will also step-up patrols in the area to stop the dangerous game from escalating. A police spokesperson said: "Between the local neighbourhood teams and our response officers, police will investigate reports of dangerous driving and speeding motorists.

"If necessary extra patrols will be set up in areas which are thought to be a problem and enforcement action will be taken.

"As a force we are committed to enforcing the laws of the road and will take action against any drivers flouting these laws and who in doing so are putting themselves and other road users at risk."

Bideford motorist Mark Clough said: "I've noticed that quite a few drivers start increasing their speed as soon as they are within sight of the lights as they travel in the Bideford to Barnstaple direction. Consequently, you can be travelling at the maximum speed of 40mph and be overtaken by someone going way above that so that they are probably doing about 60mph as they actually go through the lights. It would never surprise me to see a speed camera installed at that junction."

A Devon County Council spokesman said: "Devon County Council's road safety officers and Devon and Cornwall Police take a very dim view of inappropriate use of the highway.

"Devon and Cornwall Police is committed to enforcing traffic law across the road network and has powers to take action against any drivers seen to be driving dangerously and without regard for the safety of others.

"Both the County Council and Police would expect, at the very least, all motorists to adhere to the new 40mph speed limit at Westleigh Junction as we would expect them to comply with the speed limits on all our roads."