Health and safety concerns have been raised over “confusing” signage and a lack of lane markings on a roundabout on the Newtown Bypass, with drivers describing it as an “accident waiting to happen”.

According to Gareth Jones, who runs the Stop and Go Driving Academy in Newtown, drivers have been left scratching their heads by the lack of lane markings on the new Kerry Road roundabout, and he says some are concerned that it could lead to an accident.

“If you’re approaching the roundabout from Welshpool, the road signs say the exit for the bypass is after the 12 O’clock position, which means you should be using the right-hand lane,” he said.

“But because you’re just following the road ahead, many drivers are using the left-hand lane and with two lanes merging into one on the other side, there’s nowhere to go if you’re in the wrong position. There’s not even a merge in lane.

“I’m concerned there’s going to be an accident on there, that it’s going to become a black spot.”

Mr Jones says drivers correctly using the right-hand lane run the risk of being ‘cut-up’ by other road users treating the roundabout as a “straight on”.

And he adds that he already knows of one learner driver who’s failed their test in similar circumstances.

Now the group of instructors is calling for the lanes to be marked and for more comprehensive road signs to indicate which lane drivers should be using as they approach the junction.

“People will probably still use the wrong lanes from time to time, but it should happen less and at least if something does happen then we’d know who’s in the wrong, because they’d be going against the signs and markers.”

Montgomeryshire AM Russell George said he would be asking the Welsh Government to investigate the concerns.

“Clearly there are nationally recognised specifications for road layout and markings, and there should be time to undertake analysis of issues following the opening,” he said.

“Safety concerns are priority, and I’ve asked the Welsh Government to investigate this matter.”