Holt Cromer Road roundabout 'the most dangerous in Norfolk'

A car careered over the A148 Cromer Road roundabout in Holt, crashing through a metal fence before stopping just short of homes in Woodpecker Avenue in the early hours of Sunday (January 28). 

The driver was later arrested by police in Holt town centre on suspicion of drink driving. 

Local people say it was not the first accident to happen at roundabout - and fear it won't be the last. 

The car drove over the roundabout and through a hedgerow before crashing through a metal fence into the driveways of homes in Woodpecker Avenue, Holt (Image: Denise Bradley)

There have been six accidents on the roundabout since it was built in 2016 as part of the new Heath Farm housing development.  

The most recent accident at the roundabout before last week was in October, when a van mounted the kerb and smashed through a hedge near residents' homes.

They reported it to Norfolk County Council last year, raising concerns over how dangerous the unlit roundabout is at night with a 60mph national speed limit approaching it from both sides. 

The car eventually came to a stop just outside homes in Woodpecker Avenue, Holt (Image: Supplied)

READ MORE: Pub at the heart of Norfolk town to reopen this week after being closed for months

The van which crashed through the same metal fence near the roundabout in October last year (Image: Supplied)

Locals say the roundabout is a "blackspot" and that it's only a matter of time until "someone is killed".

Barry Griffin, who lives with his wife Carole in Woodpecker Avenue, said: "The car in the crash was absolutely wrecked.

Steve Appleby, left, and Barry Griffin, with the latest damage to the fence outside their properties next to the roundabout at Holt (Image: Denise Bradley)

"If you come into it at night you just wouldn’t think there's a roundabout there because there are no street lights. 

"They also need to reduce the speed limit on the A148 when approaching the roundabout from east and west, which is 60mph.

"It seems ludicrous that you can be travelling from Kelling or Holt at 40mph and then suddenly it indicates a higher speed of 60mph just as you approach the roundabout.

"It needs major safety improvements."

READ MORE: North Norfolk road to be closed for three weeks for resurfacing

Debris from the crash at the roundabout outside properties in Woodpecker Avenue (Image: Supplied)

Police were called to Woodpecker Avenue at 2am on Sunday after reports of a vehicle driving around which appeared to have been involved in a collision.

Residents in Woodpecker Avenue said the driver of the car, a red Range Rover, drove away despite the front of the vehicle being heavily damaged. 

The woman in her 40s was later arrested in Holt town centre on suspicion of drink driving and she was taken to Aylsham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

She was later released on bail until March 2. 

The driver, a woman in her 40s, was later arrested in Holt town centre on suspicion of drink driving (Image: Supplied)

The most recent accident at the roundabout has prompted North Norfolk County Council to announced it will investigate the issue. 

A spokesperson said: “We would be happy to carry out a safety review of the roundabout and meet local representatives to discuss concerns about this location."

Damage to a metal fence outside properties in Woodpecker Avenue, Holt (Image: Denise Bradley)

North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker has also said he will be holding a meeting with the police, council and residents this month to discuss how to make the roundabout safer.

"I am told this is the sixth accident on this roundabout," Mr Baker said.

"I remember before I was an MP specifically saying when I was a councillor in Holt that this roundabout is dangerous. 

North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker, pictured in Holt (Image: Newsquest)

"It has no lighting and no speed reduction measures, and these accidents will keep happening unless we take action.

"I am swiftly organising a meeting with residents, the police, and the crash reduction team at highways to meet on site and address the many worries people have." 

READ MORE: Flooding meeting in Hickling to be live streamed online - how to watch