A PETITION calling for a controversial slip road to be made safe has been set up by a worried driving instructor.

Alfie Swan, 54, who manages BDC Driving School, in Billericay, says the road, at the junction of the A127 and Upper Mayne, Basildon, is a complete nightmare.

His concern has been shared by dozens of motorists who have complained the work has made the junction more dangerous as you have to crane your neck at too tight an angle to see oncoming traffic.

Mr Swan said: “Everyone, including professional driving instructors like myself, has been saying how dangerous it is.

“I’ve started the petition to put as much pressure as possible on the people in charge of our roads.

“I hope thousands of people will sign up, then we’ll be in a strong position to present it to the council and demand it makes the slip road safe.”

The slip road has already been removed from the Basildon driving test route, by the Driving Standards Agency, because of safety concerns.

A Mercedes Coupe and a Mini Cooper collided on the slip lane on February 21.

The driver of the Mini was a driving instructor who was not working at the time.

Mr Swan said: “The man involved in the crash was a fully qualified instructor who knows exactly what he’s doing. That shows how dangerous the slip road is.

“He was turning left from the slip road, off the A127 towards Billericay, when he got hit from behind.

“He had to take six weeks off work afterwards because of whiplash.

“I’ve heard from a few people about other minor accidents since then.”

A council spokesman declined to comment on the petition.

However, in a previous statement a council spokesman said: “Essex County Council has received a number of calls regarding the slip road layout.

“The council can assure residents the design and construction of the slip road conforms to the design manual for roads and bridges, the basis on which all highway schemes are designed and constructed.

“The junction will continue to be monitored while drivers adapt to the changes.”

To sign Mr Swan’s petition, log on to http://tinyurl.com/ cdckvcm