ACCIDENTS would be “waiting to happen” if plans to introduce an exit for Hagley Hall’s new visitor centre on the A456 are passed, a councillor has warned.

A consultation is currently underway on plans for a new junction from the A456 Hagley Causeway for vehicle access into and out of the multi-million pound site.

But Hagley Parish Council chairman cllr Steve Colella says the plan “beggars belief” as he feels the "dangerous" plans would be forcing slow moving traffic out of the exit and onto a fast busy A-road.

Cllr Colella, who is also a Bromsgrove district councillor for Hagley West, said: “As chairman of Hagley Parish Council, we find this junction proposal to be very dangerous with a whole series of potential accidents waiting to happen should it be implemented.

“To think that this has gone through its internal risk assessment does ring alarm bells.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

(ABOVE: Cllr Steve Colella says the A456 access point beggars belief)

“It shouldn’t be for the public to highlight the inherent dangers that this would hold. We would expect this to fail at the first hurdle.

“As road users know this is on a bend without clear line of site when leaving the junction from the visitor’s centre.

“This would cause fast approaching traffic to move out into the outside line, causing some very sudden and dangerous manoeuvres.

“Any vehicles going back into the direction of Birmingham would be required to move to the right quite quickly in order for traffic to traverse the small island just a little further up.

“I would encourage all road users who have concerns with this proposal to contact Worcestershire County Highways.”

Plans for the visitor’s centre have been delayed since 2015 due to road safety concerns.

But the 12th Viscount Cobham, Chris Lyttelton, who runs the hall, says he expects work to begin in the coming months and believes there are no issues with the current access plan.

He said: “The experts are Worcestershire Highways, not Hagley Parish Council.

“Highways do not seem to have an issue with it.

“Hagley Parish Council opposed the visitor’s centre when we first put forward the plans. I cannot see why anybody would not want to see a wonderful park open to the public.”

A consultation is open until May 31. Comments can be made to jtipton2@worcestershire.gov.uk.

Cllr Karen May, who is cabinet member with responsibility for transformation and commissioning at the council, added: "We are aware of safety concerns that have been raised.

“We are still within a consultation period to allow us to determine the appropriate action for this area and we will update further in due course."