The A49 is a major north-south trunk road. It runs from Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire to Bamber Bridge near Preston in Lancashire, covering approximately 140 miles.

Southern Terminus: Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire (joins the A40). It passes through a number of towns, including:

Hereford, Leominster, Ludlow, Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Tarpoley, Warrington.

Northern Terminus: Bamber Bridge, near Preston (joins the A6).

The A49 is mostly a single-carriageway road, with some dual-carriageway sections near major towns. It serves as an alternative to the M6 motorway, providing important regional connectivity for the market towns listed above and more rural areas.

As with many single-carriageway roads, the A49 has its fair share of serious and fatal collisions. In this short guide, we examine five of the most hazardous stretches of the A49, based on the frequency of severe and fatal collisions recorded over the past few years, and what makes these specific sites particularly at risk. We examine these common collision sites through an advanced and defensive driving lens to highlight the specific elements that we think make these sections of the A49 particularly risky and what you, as a driver, can do to stay safe. These points are also relevant to any similar road you may be driving on, not just the A49.

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Location 1: Herefordshire, where the A4137 joins the A49.
What3Words – ///consonant.gambles.stung

Observations – This section of the A49 is at an increased risk for several reasons. One of them is the hill, which can cause some drivers to speed up, often without realising they are doing so. The junctions on either side are also a risk, as is the lane for the right turn, although there are double white lines to help reduce the chances of overtaking.

Tips – Always be aware of how your speed can increase when driving downhill. The quicker you go, the greater the chance the driver at the junction ahead may misjudge your speed, and if they do, there is less time to react. Be prepared for traffic to pull out in front of you, cross your path and try and overtake when they shouldn’t. In poor visibility, such as fog, this issue will worsen even further. If turning right across traffic, make sure you can perform the manoeuvre without causing the vehicles already on the A49 to change speed or direction. In fog and rain, it’s harder to accurately judge speed. Really pay attention to the approaching vehicle’s speed. Make sure you look right, left and then right again as a minimum, purposely moving your head as you look to avoid your eyes’ blind spot catching you out. This is sadly where many motorcyclists are killed at junctions, with drivers not properly looking, as small objects like motorbikes are more likely to end up in their blind spot.

Location 2: Herefordshire, where the A466 joins the A49.
What3Words – ///scariest.dizzy.lighters

Observations – With two A roads merging, there will often be more traffic compared to a minor road meeting an A road. Here, a number of the collisions recorded have happened near the slip road onto the A49. Such collisions occur when either the vehicle joining the A49 has failed to see what’s already on the road, or the driver on the road (A49) assumes the other driver will give way. Either way, a lack of awareness, including poor use of mirrors, is the primary cause of collisions at these junctions. Vehicles leaving the A49 and wanting to join the A466 with a right turn are also at risk.

Tips – If you’re on the A466 joining the A49, give way to traffic already on the A49, be mindful of drivers also wanting to join the A49 in front of you. They may hesitate or misjudge and pull out in front of a vehicle. Perform a quick shoulder check before you merge if needed. If you’re on the A49 and a vehicle is wanting to merge, don’t automatically assume they will give way, be prepared to take evasive action if needed, be mindful of your speed and don’t assume. Be cautious of vehicles wanting to turn right onto the A466. In poor weather, all the points above are even more relevant.

Location 3: Herefordshire/Shropshire Border, Woofferton Crossroads
What3Words – ///weedy.crumb.tweeted

Observations – This location has seen an alarmingly high number of serious and fatal collisions over the years, and it’s the crossing of traffic which is causing the most issues. There is a junction to a pub and a petrol station on the left, and another busy junction on the right. The right turn lane, while helping the flow of traffic, can make waiting vehicles vulnerable. The right turn lane makes the road wider, and so it will take you longer to cross, where you may potentially have two lanes of traffic coming towards you. A vehicle in the right turn lane may also block visibility if you are also turning right, heading towards the petrol station.

Tips – If joining the A49, take the time to judge the speed of traffic, don’t assume they will give way. Take the time to judge the speed of vehicles already on the A49, and perform a shoulder check if needed when joining from the left slip road. If on the A49, don’t assume joining traffic will see you or give way; be mindful of your speed, especially in poor visibility. If crossing right across traffic, make sure you can perform the manoeuvre without causing the vehicles already on the A49 to change speed or direction. Be aware of any vehicles which are blocked from visibility by traffic sitting in the right turn lane – wait a moment if needed. In fog and rain, it’s harder to accurately judge speed. Really pay attention to the approaching vehicle’s speed. Make sure you look right, left and then right again as a minimum, purposely moving your head as you look to avoid your eyes’ blind spot catching you out. This is sadly where many motorcyclists are killed at junctions, with drivers not properly looking, as small objects like motorbikes are more likely to end up in their blind spot.

Location 4: Shropshire/Cheshire Border, Bickley Lane Junction
What3Words – ///generated.beamed.rollover

Observations – The junctions on either side are instant risk factors, but it’s not just these which make it a high-risk area. There is a long straight before these two junctions, in both directions, but more so heading north. This means there is an increase chance of speeding drivers.

Tips – The tips on the above locations apply to this, but also when merging onto a fast road, take extra time to look for traffic and judge their speed – they may be coming much faster than you think. If you’re driving the A49 at this part, be aware of your speed and the fact that the vehicle at the junction may not appreciate your speed.

Location 5: Warrington, M62 Junction
What3Words – ///bulb.foot.prowl

Observations – There have been a high number of collisions here. The high volume of traffic, combined with drivers travelling cross-country on the M62 who are unfamiliar with the area, increases the risk. Many drivers find themselves in the wrong lane, which adds to the hazards. Although collisions here tend to happen at lower speeds compared to other, more rural parts of the A49, they still occur, and when they do, the consequences can be serious.

Tips – Take the time to check which lane you need to be in. If you’re in the wrong lane, try and indicate where you want to go – don’t just try and push in. Other drivers are not mind readers, show them via your indicators and brake lights at the same time if needed. Using both together can alert an observant driver that you may be in the wrong lane. If you can’t make the move, stay in your lane – you can always make a U-turn when it’s safe a few miles down the road. It’s better to be 10 minutes late than to be responsible for a collision. Be aware of other drivers, especially foreign vehicles, who may find the junction totally confusing. Allow plenty of space around you and other vehicles. Don’t always rely on drivers to give indications – looking where a vehicle is heading is often a better indication.

Conclusion:

While we have just covered five locations on the A49, it’s very clear to see that the most dangerous parts of the road, and any other similar road, for that matter, are when traffic crosses or merges. Some parts of the A49 encourage higher speeds where national limits apply, yet hidden entrances, bends, junctions or changes in road width can catch drivers out. Some entries and exits have poor sightlines or require tight turning, increasing the risk of collision, especially with HGVs. Rural and exposed sections of the A49 can become hazardous in rain, ice, or fog due to reduced grip and visibility. Common causes of incidents, particularly in winter months, are with east-west aligned sections affected at sunrise and sunset.

During our advanced driving courses, we can provide bespoke training on any specific road. Please contact us for more information.