HIGHWAYS England has "agreed in principle" to develop the Miles Cross junction - following calls for action at the "confusing" section of the A35.

The announcement by Highways England comes after emergency services were called to two collisions at the same spot between Bridport and Symondsbury in the space of 24 hours.

Last Thursday, (21) a woman was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, though these were not believed to be life threatening or life changing. Three vehicles were involved and one woman had to be cut free from a car.

This followed less than 24 hours after another crash at Miles Cross, involving a motorcyclist. A South Western Ambulance Service Trust spokesman confirmed one male casualty who was treated at the scene.

Highways England, which initially objected to the proposed development at Vearse Farm, is finalising which of two improvement schemes to go ahead with at Miles Cross - as part of the outline development.

Highways officials have met with developers and councillors as part of Vearse Farm working group. The two options being considered at Miles Cross are either a roundabout or traffic lights.

A spokeswoman from Highways England, said: "Highway England has agreed in principle two options put forward for improvements at the Miles Cross junction on the A35.

"We are currently in discussions with the developer on the details of both schemes and are awaiting further information before making a final decision on an appropriate option for the junction.

"We will be in a position to remove our recommendation of non-approval on the planning application and replace it with agreed conditions as soon as the appropriate option has been decided. These conditions will be attached to any planning consent granted."

Following last week's two collisions, a resident has launched a campaign for action at the Miles Cross junction. Mat Sparrow wants to see a roundabout installed at the junction.

He said: "I decided to set up this petition simply because over many many years, I have seen so many accidents at this spot.

"The junction is confusing for non-locals and inexperienced drivers. To locals who use that junction all the time it is fine but we are a tourist destination and a through route for the south west and knowledgeable drivers seem to get confused - and this is when accidents happen.

"I see that either a roundabout should be in place or no right turn access coming from Symondsbury towards Chideock. The accidents that occur whether big or small cause death and destruction and lesser than that, it causes local gridlock and nuisance to local traffic. The time has come for prevention of this by some means."

The sentiments were echoed by leader of Bridport Town Council, Cllr Sarah Williams.

She said: “It is a very badly laid out and dangerous junction at Miles Cross. I think if you are going to put a roundabout at that junction then there is an argument that you could try putting an access road to Vearse Farm. I think that is what we are pressing for.

“A lot of people do not use that junction because it is dangerous.”