The petition of residents of the constituency of Newcastle-under-Lyme,
Declares that the A500 Audley slip road, where it crosses Alsagers Road, is not currently fit for purpose and is not safe for local residents, drivers or pedestrians; further, recognises that if action was taken by Staffordshire county council and National Highways to make it safe, there would be fewer accidents and near-misses and less confusion; declares that there are many ways through which safety could be improved, such as by improving signage, such as including a stop sign, implementing more pedestrian safety measures, introducing traffic lights, reducing speed limits, improving the road layout design, introducing restrictions on re-joining the A500, reducing surrounding vegetation to allow for greater visibility, placing rumble strips on the slip road, improving visibility by redesigning the crash barriers, introducing cameras or other deterrents for dangerous driving, improving road markings, introducing changes to Junction 16 so lorries are not led onto that section of the A500, and introducing yellow lines as a warning for drivers to slow down as they approach the slip road; and further notes that a corresponding online petition on this issue has received a separate 260 signatures.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to encourage Staffordshire county council and National Highways to take immediate action to ensure that the A500 Audley slip road is made safer for local residents, drivers and pedestrians.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Adam Jogee, Official Report, 14 October 2025; Vol. 773, c. 344.]
[P003118]
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood):
The Government treat road safety seriously and are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads.
After being made aware by the local parish council and the police of the recent increase in collisions on the A500 Audley slip road, National Highways has been seeking to determine the underlying causes. This includes carrying out a site visit and engaging with the police to better understand the nature of the recent incidents.
No clear causation factor has been identified. However, National Highways has progressed the design and installation of upgraded signage to reinforce the need for drivers to give way at the top of the slip road. National Highways is also looking to install temporary signage in the interim to increase road user awareness. National Highways will continue to engage with local residents and parliamentarians regarding this matter, to ensure that they are kept up to date about the planned improvements.
The Government commend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Adam Jogee) for bringing this important issue to the attention of the House of Commons and the Government. We hope that Staffordshire county council will engage constructively with the Member, local residents and National Highways to discuss the concerns and explore appropriate solutions.