A COUPLE have been forced to move after a spate of road accidents outside their front gate.

Harold and Betty Jones, who live by the notorious Caer Estyn crossroads in Caergwrle, are convinced they were right to take the drastic step after their entire front garden was wrecked in another smash at the weekend.

Pensioner Betty said: 'We just can't stand it any more because we have been living on our nerves.

'There is virtually an accident every month, and in the last 10 years our garden wall has been demolished three times.

'We've now built a new bungalow at the rear of the property. It's been horrendous living here, and we just can't wait to get out.'

Husband Harold said: 'I have tended to a number of road accident casualties in recent years, and it's not a pleasant task.

'Enough is enough - we are just pleased to be moving out.'

Betty had a lucky escape at the weekend when a car and a 4x4 collided at the crossroads - both vehicles ended up in her small front garden, demolishing the entire front wall.

'We were just about to carry a wardrobe out of the door when the accident happened,' she said.

'If we'd been leaving the house at the time of the crash we could have been killed.

'You are also worried in case a vehicle crashes into the house. One did scrape the front wall in a previous incident.'

Neighbour Judith Fearnall has organised a petition calling on Flintshire County Council to introduce immediate road safety measures at the junction.

She said: 'There's no reduced speed limit and drivers travel so fast they can't stop at the junction and are forced to overtake vehicles trying to turn right.

'It's an absolute nightmare and just amazing nobody has been killed.'

Local county councillor Cliff Shone said action to improve safety at the crossroads was long overdue. He will hand the petition to the county council next Tuesday.

He said: 'We need an investigation into the best way of remedying the situation, whether it's a reduced speed limit, prohibiting overtaking or a revision of the markings at the junction - or a combination of measures.

'What's clear is that we can't continue like this, with everyone fearful of the next accident.

'I feel extremely sorry for Mr and Mrs Jones, who have had to put up with the problem for years.'

A spokesman for the council said: 'Improvements have been made to this junction within the last two years, including highlighting the signs that indicate the crossroads.

'Assurances have been given to local councillors that consideration will be given to introduce other measures to improve safety on this section of road.'