Call for action on danger junction

A hairdresser is calling for action after her Smethwick salon was damaged for the third time in just over a year by speeding motorists.

Julie Harper, who owns CJ International on St Mary's Road, says the junction with Lightwoods Road is dangerous. Earlier this month Mrs Harper said a motorist crossed the junction without looking and after swerving to avoid another car careered into concrete bollards and her fence outside the salon.

She said: "The thing is I am never told about it. I just turn up and find the damage. It is me who has to go to the police to get an incident number to claim on the insurance."

Last June the same thing happened, but this time it was during the day and her staff were in the shop.

She said: "They heard a screech and the next thing they knew a car had crashed into the window. They were actually left trapped inside the shop. It was terrifying for them."

The first time it happened was in February last year when a car smashed into the give-way sign and then into the front of the shop.

Mrs Harper, aged 50, who has owned the salon for 10 years said: "People just don't stop at this junction. It says 'give way', but they actually need to stop. They just speed. Also the yellow lines need to be extended because when people park close to the junction it is hard to see."

Sandwell Council's neighbourhoods chief, Councillor Derek Rowley said: "We have a contractor out there at the moment putting in a speed table at this junction, and also a 20mph speed limit.

"This should help to prevent further accidents.

"A stop sign isn't something we can use on this type of junction but we hope slowing down the traffic will solve the problem."