CAMPAIGNERS say safety measures proposed by Dudley Council are "inadequate" after five accidents have occurred on a Sedgley road in the last 12 months.

Northway Action Group for Road Safety (NAG4RS) formed in February to lobby for improvements on Northway.

Due to the slightly hilly and winding nature of the road, the group say it is unsuitable for commercial traffic and want the council to take notice before there is a serious accident.

The latest incident occurred on April 18, when a car parked at the foot of the hill was struck from behind and severely damaged, with the driver of the offending vehicle fleeing the scene.

West Midlands Police have since traced the driver, a 21-year-old man, who was due to be interviewed by officers about the collision.

NAG4RS Spokesperson Tony North said: “Dudley Council have consistently failed to take account of residents’ concerns about incidents along Northway generally, which have a common factor such as location or excessive speed.

"There have been numerous near miss incidents, where damage has been suffered and serious casualties avoided due to sheer chance. Do we have to have a fatality before they will listen and act properly?”

John Millar, the council's acting strategic director for environment, economy and housing, said there were plans for improvements in the area later this year, including a new mini roundabout, pedestrian refuge and resurfacing near Alder Coppice Primary School.

He added: "We are also proposing to introduce a safer routes to school scheme along The Northway the following year which will include a 20mph zone and new signs to help boost safety.

"We will continue to work with local residents throughout the work."

However Mr North thinks more should be done and said without enforcement, the reduced speed limit would "have limited benefit", adding: "The proposed measures are inadequate."

He said the group would continue to campaign for a number of safety measures including a speed camera and a 7.5 gross vehicle weight restriction.