A360 Black Dog Crossroads crashes sparks Devizes protest

Road safety campaigner Michael Maxwell unveiled “The Scream” at Devizes Market Place car park on Monday, October 30, for around an hour.

The artwork is a protest against the perceived lack of action by Wiltshire Council to improve safety at the controversial Black Dog Crossroads.

It consists of car parts collected from a crash at the crossroads, affixed to his car, as well as a homemade traffic light to symbolise his proposed solution.

The junction, located at the A360 near West Lavington, was labelled one of the most dangerous in the county, with motorists worried about the safety of pulling out onto the A-road due to poor visibility and the speed of oncoming traffic.

Mr Maxwell says his latest protest artwork, which is an updated version of an installation previously removed from the crossroads, has attracted support from residents in Devizes.

The Scream protest in Devizes Market Place (Image: Michael Maxwell)

He plans to return to the town centre in the near future and says he will continue to push Wiltshire Council for greater action.

He said: “We’ve had nine months of empty soundbites and inaction from Wiltshire highways while crashes continue.

“Locals know that speed is the major reason for the injuries at Black Dog, when you pull out on the junction you take your life into your hands.”

Earlier this year the council confirmed plans to realign the junction to improve sight lines for those pulling out onto the A360, once the necessary land purchases are completed.

But this policy has been met with anger from Mr Maxwell, who believes that only traffic lights can slow traffic effectively enough to make the junction safe.

He added: “The only thing which could stop the traffic effectively is traffic lights, realigning the junction won’t work.

“Because of the blind bend and the speed of the road you’re past the crossroads before you can stop.”

The crash at the Black Dog Crossroads on August 14 (Image: Kimberley Brown)

Multiple collisions have been reported this year, including one involving a resident who has been left scared to drive.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, the cabinet member for transport, said: “A variety of measures for the Black Dog Crossroads, including traffic signals, were considered during our discussions with local councillors and the local parish councils.

“However, it was agreed that the most appropriate improvement would be to realign the junction.

“I would like to reassure residents that we are currently working on negotiations to purchase the land required to allow us to complete these works.”