CALLS are being made for urgent action to prevent crashes at a notorious city centre blackspot, after the latest collision caused gridlock – and traders say it's just a matter of time before someone is seriously injured.

Worcestershire County Council has said it will carry out an investigation into yesterday morning's crash, between a bus and an Audi, at the junction of Sansome Street, Shaw Street and Foregate Street.

The bus mounted the pavement and crashed through a railing barrier, taking down a pelican crossing lights pillar.

Emergency services were called at around 6.30am and the section of Sansome Street where the vehicle came to a halt was closed for two hours, causing misery for motorists as routes into the city were gridlocked.

The bus and Audi were recovered but police officers were still directing vehicles round the crossroads three hours after the crash, as the traffic lights were off.

The incident is the latest in a string of crashes at the junction in recent years.

In July 2016 firefighters had to cut a casualty free from the wreckage of a vehicle after a crash, and in January of the same year four people were injured in a similar collision.

In both of those incidents, vehicles went through barriers and crashed through the window of A-Plan Insurance's office, on the corner at the junction.

After the latest accident, James Parker, branch manager of the insurance firm, said: "This is the fourth incident I can remember in the last two years – three times before they have impacted our building.

"It is the nature of these crossroads as there is no line of sight due to these buildings, which are all listed buildings.

"I'm really concerned that someone will get seriously hurt in one of the crashes, before action is taken. It almost feels like it is a matter of time. They are becoming more regular."

Mr Parker added that a metal barrier to stop vehicles mounting pavements should be considered, as the current barrier "is purely just to stop people walking into the road".

Worcester News readers took to our social media accounts and website to also call for action.

Laura Bailey-Wharf said: "How many more times will there be accidents at this junction and still no review?"

Laura Bowker said: "That’s where I was crashed into. Wrote off my car when someone jumped the red light. Luckily I noticed them and slammed my breaks, otherwise it could have been so much worse."

Shelly Givans added: "This is the fourth crash this year alone. I live right on the corner of this junction. The crash was loud enough to wake me up."

Mags Moore said: "This junction is getting worse."

A reader on the Worcester News website added: "I hate to use the word 'lucky', but the fact that no pedestrians were waiting to cross is a stroke of luck."

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "We are aware of the crash on Foregate Street, and will be undertaking a full safety investigation into the site and circumstances."