Following multiple crashes in the space of only a couple of months a pub landlord has now taken matters into their own hands.

The landlord of the Huntsman pub in Cheadle is now using an A-board advertising the number of days since the last incident.

Landlord Conor Devine started using the board in August to raise awareness of the issue following several high profile crashes on the junction between the A521 and Draycott Cross Road. The board now stands at just four days.

Conor has been the landlord of the Huntsman for the past 15 years and says that there have always been crashes on the road. He said: "Recently it's just gotten ridiculous. There must be some reason behind it.

"We've always had crashes, I mean it could be five or six small crashes a year, something like that. Now we're having major crashes."

The junction has seen thirteen accidents in just six weeks (SWNS).

In the past few weeks Staffordshire County Council 'refreshed' the road marking at the busy crossroads. However there have been calls made to go further and possibly introduce traffic lights or a roundabout to reduce speeds.

Speaking about the sign, Conor continued: "It has a bit of gallows humour in one sense, just making light of the situation but also to warn people at the same time, but more importantly to warn people about how dangerous the crossroads are."

"I was in the bank about two weeks ago and I was talking to one of the cashiers and she lives in Cheadle. She said she didn't realise how bad the crossroads are until we put the sign in and now she's very wary when she goes past here and takes extra care. In that sense I suppose it's working."

In the past six weeks there have been 13 accidents on the stretch of road with the last on 17 October. It has been estimated that over £200,000 has been caused in the past two months alone. 

Conor Devine said his sign is making people more 'wary' and 'take extra care' (SWNS).

Mark Deaville, Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for strategic highways, said: "My thoughts go out to those involved in the collision in Cheadle this morning. The incident is still being investigated by police, and once we have all the information we will look to see if any action is required at the location.

"Keeping our roads safe remains our priority and we do listen to residents and work with local communities if they have concerns about road safety in their area. Just last week, we refreshed the road markings at this junction after we were made aware they had worn down.

"I will be meeting with community highways managers next week to discuss highways priorities for the area and concerns about this junction will be one of the issues discussed. Road safety at these crossroads is a high priority to me."

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