I am writing with regard to the A120 road junction at Great Bromley.

I have seen letters in the Gazette, pointing out that the drivers, not the road, are to blame for the many accidents there. I would point out, however, that some of the road layouts we encounter these days are more suited to traffic conditions 50 years ago, and this is a prime example.

For anyone not familiar with this junction, this is how it works, if you are approaching from the direction of Great Bromley, with the intention to turn right to Harwich: You arrive at the stop line of the A120. Here you are faced by two dual carriageways, with a central reservation between, which is wide enough to shelter one vehicle.

To turn right, you first have to look right, down the first carriageway, and assess the speed of two lanes of approaching traffic.

Remember that traffic in either lane could be travelling at speeds in excess of 70mph.

Having found a gap which you judge to be wide enough, you cross the first carriageway. Bear in mind that you must not accelerate too quickly across the first dual carriageway, because you could then give the impression to those driving in the second carriageway, that you are about to cross in front of them, thereby causing them to brake or swerve dangerously.

If you have safely achieved the haven of the central reservation, you now need to look to your left, down the second carriageway, and assess the speed of two lanes of approaching traffic.

Remember that traffic in either lane could be travelling at speeds in excess of 70mph.

Having found a gap which you judge to be wide enough, you can then cross the two oncoming lanes, turning right, into position in the inside lane.

Bear in mind that you should, in this case, accelerate as quickly as you can, in case you have underestimated the speed of traffic approaching along the inside lane.

One further complication is that, sometimes, those who have come from the direction of Colchester along the A120, will want to turn off towards Great Bromley at this junction.

This means they will be braking, possibly from speeds in excess of 70mph, so that they can complete their manoeuvre.

In my opinion, this junction is lethal, and if it remains unchanged, it will be the scene of many more bad accidents.

Surely a roundabout at this terrible junction would solve the problem simply and cheaply.

Andrew Stubbs
Ferry Road
Fingringhoe