A CONTROVERSIAL one-way system in a Halesowen street has created an accident blackspot with drivers taking a “racing line” through a bend and smashing into parked cars.

Residents of Church Street and neighbouring St Paul’s Drive are living “in fear of their safety when leaving and arriving home,” according to Councillor Karen Shakespeare.

Highways chiefs will finally put traffic calming proposals to them - three months after they were drawn up in a bid to solve the problem.

The Halesowen North councillor said she was relieved Dudley Council had finally admitted the road was dangerous, but said the delay in consulting local people was “ludicrous”.

A highways officer who surveyed drivers in Church Street in March said: “It was noticed that drivers take a racing line through the bend.

“This may be as a result of the one-way system which was introduced in March 2011 and the prohibition of waiting that has removed vehicles from the outside of the bend giving the appearance the road is more open than it actually is, catching the errant driver out.”

He added local drivers take the bend too fast, knowing there will be no opposing traffic.

There have been numerous non-injury accidents caused by drivers breaking the 30mph limit and losing control as they bear left from the two-way section onto the one-way stretch of Church Street, crashing into vehicles parked on the outside of the bend.

A raft of traffic calming measures including a bend warning sign, chevron sign, the removal of part of the no waiting order and the introduction of hatched markings will now go out to consultation with residents living adjacent to the bend.

Fellow Halesowen North councillor Hilary Bills, cabinet member for environmental services, said: “If residents support our proposals, these works will be brought forward as a priority, outside our normal 12 month programme of works.”

Cllr Shakespeare has also campaigned for two years for double yellow lines at the junction of Church Street and Nimmings Road to stop parked cars blocking the view of oncoming traffic.

“It’s so frustrating – it’s a constant battle to get things through the council,” she added.

Cllr Bills announced it was hoped to introduce the parking ban around the junction within this financial year, if supported by residents who will be consulted over the next couple of months.

The double yellow lines failed to reach the programme of works in previous years as other areas scored higher and were given priority.