Road improvement works have started at a notorious junction which has claimed a dozen lives and caused 127 life-changing injuries in 14 years.

New signs, road markings and warning lights will be installed at the Broad End Road Junction on the A47 at Walsoken.

The work, which is set to be completed by the end of the month, has been welcomed by North East Cambs MP Steve Barclay, who has pushed for safety improvements at the junction. However, he is adamant a roundabout is needed to prevent future casualties.

He said: “It is great that the safety scheme will start this week but I see it as an interim measure.

“What we really need at this dangerous junction is a roundabout, which will keep traffic flowing but make it much safer for drivers.”

A Facebook petition calling for improved safety measures including a roundabout has been signed by 651 people, while 506 people have signed an e-petition launched by grieving Norfolk mum Bridget Wall whose son 24-year-old Adam was killed at the junction in November 2002.

A further 381 people have signed a paper petition calling for safety measures including a roundabout at the junction.

The Highways Agency has estimated a roundabout will cost around £3 million, which Mr Barclay believes is high as a similar scheme on the A19/A63 Barlby Road in Yorkshire cost just £1.8 million.

The MP is concerned the Highways Agency could be deliberately inflating costs as a way of justifying ruling out A47 schemes such as dualling the section between Wisbech and Guyhirn and the Walsoken roundabout.