A series of collisions and near-misses at a road junction in Epsom has divided local opinion about whether safety issues are caused more by traffic, pedestrians or the layout itself.

In the latest incident on Thursday afternoon an 80-year-old woman was injured while crossing the A24 Epsom High Street at Ashley Road.

Second crash in one day closes busy Epsom High Street

She was taken by ambulance to St George’s Hospital in Tooting with a head injury and is currently believed to be in a stable condition.

However, her incident, along with many others recently, has again led to calls for action to tackle what has been labelled a ‘dangerous junction.’

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Writing in the comments section of the Guardian’s online story on the collision a user called chikiminki wrote: "Epsom is simply getting too big for the infrastructure.

Drivers get frustrated and take risks, as do pedestrians. We need a radical review of the roads in the area, directing traffic away from the town centre and not through it."

Plans for major road improvements in the town centre including making South Street two-way to stop traffic heading towards Ashtead having to travel through the High Street, are being proposed by Epsom Council.

The road changes, as part of Plan E, would aim to reduce congestion through the town centre and boost its economic vitality by making it easier for shoppers and workers to get to the centre and move around, as well as providing an attractive business environment and creating jobs.

Conservative Councillor Tina Mountain, who represents Epsom Town and Downs on Surrey County Council as well as the Woodcote ward, backs a new road layout for the town, but feels the council's plan is the wrong one.

Coun Mountain said: "I’m not opposed to making Epsom safer, but under the council’s Plan E for the area they want to make South Street two-way, which apparently will only stop one in every 10 cars turning right.

"This scheme is being funded by £3.5million of Government money and for me misses an incredibly opportunity to truly regenerate the town centre by pedestrianising the area near the clock tower and routing the traffic past the station.

"This would mean only one line of cars entering Ashley Road, making it safer, and also allow us to create things like a permanent market, a skateboard ramp, and even an ice rink in winter time."

Neil Dallen, then Residents' Association councillor for Epsom town, said: "It is one of the busiest junctions in Surrey.

"We have the opportunity to make junctions improvements."

He said the Plan E development could start in February or March next year and last for two years. There will be a consultation to gather views first.

"Hopefully it will make it safer for pedestrians because of the shorter crossings and improved traffic flow," he added.

To see the situation for ourselves, this newspaper went to the scene on Friday morning to ask people for their views.

During the hour on site we witnessed long delays between traffic lights turning red and pedestrians getting the green signal to cross.

Shopper Val Owen said: "I don’t see a problem with the traffic. For me it is the people crossing before the lights have changed that cause the junction to be dangerous."

Former North Cheam resident Jenny Riddell who now lives on the Isle of Wight said: "I think where two separate lines of cars coming from different directions get merged into one make it unsafe."

David Peters, of Wimbledon, blamed the traffic lights and said: "They take too long to change and then there’s a long delay before the bleeper tells everyone it’s safe to cross."

Dad Harry Suri feels the junction is reasonably well laid out and signposted. He said: "Both drivers and pedestrians should know the rules of the road and be sensible."

Tommy Vincent, of Ashtead, points the finger at the yellow box junction which he feels makes drivers take risks to avoid a fine.

He added: "I know there are plans to restore the roundabout further up the road which we used to have 20 years ago and I think was much better."

What do you think? Leave a comment below or email becky.middleton@london.newsquest.co.uk.