Drivers are being forced to take their lives into their own hands by using a dangerous junction on the A2, it is claimed.

Residents say motorists joining the busy dual-carriageway from Out Elmstead Lane in Barham - or leaving it to enter the village - run the risk of a fatal accident.

Only last week a car ended up in a ditch next to the treacherous T-junction, sparking calls for warning signs to be erected.

Leading the criticism is city and county councillor Mike Sole, who says the crash is just the latest in a series of accidents at the blackspot.

He says drivers have to pull out onto the A2 from a standing hill start as traffic thunders past.

Those coming off the dual-carriageway are forced to slow to almost a stop, often while being tailed by lorries unaware of the sharp turning ahead.

“It’s been a problem for a few years,” said Cllr Sole.

“The big problem with the lane is when you turn into it, because it’s at a complete right angle; there’s no slip-road so if you’re coming down the A2 you’ve got to be almost stationary to take that corner.

“If you see anything in your rear-view mirror you’re taking your life in your hands by attempting to take that junction.

“If there's a lorry coming up behind you, you’d be mad to do it.

“The only choice you’ve got is to go past and go all the way around again - which is about a four-mile round trip – and hope that next time there won’t be something coming up behind you.

“If a car is coming out of the lane when you’re trying to come into it, you can’t even swing to the other side of the road to get around, which is why you’ve got to effectively go 5mph to get around that bend.”

While many motorists choose to avoid the junction, residents in Out Elmstead Lane often have no other way as the other end of the street - at Valley Road - is regularly, and currently, shut off by flooding.

Cllr Sole says a solution has to be found before a tragedy occurs.

“It’s a horrible junction and is so dangerous,” he said.

“It’s shocking that this is allowed - the A2 is such a busy road filled with lorries coming from Dover.

“We certainly hear of an accident happening up there every time Valley Road is shut because of flooding. There’s often debris up there too – number plates or bumpers.

“One day, someone is unfortunately going to have a very nasty accident at the top of that lane.”

Out Elmstead Lane is maintained by KCC, with National Highways responsible for the installation of any signage on the A2.

KCC bosses say no changes to the junction are planned, but should a serious accident occur, work could be undertaken to prevent future incidents.

National Highways says it will await the outcome of a police investigation into the latest accident “before considering any action”.

“However, if signage is deemed necessary, National Highways will work closely with the county council to address the situation,” a spokesperson added.