A FORMER pub landlord of 25 years has said nothing has been done to improve the notoriously dangerous junction by his old pub.

David Smith, 78, was the landlord of the Cart and Horses from 1967 to 1992 during which time one of his chefs was killed driving from the junction in Kings Worthy.

The chef, Ted Butcher, hit his head when a car driving from Basingstoke to the Cart and Horses junction crashed into his car. Mr Smith recalls talking to his friend and colleague in the ambulance before he died later that day.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Forty years on people are still dying from crashes at the junction. Most recently, a woman died and a man was seriously injured after a collision between a Mazda and a van in October.

READ MORE: Cart & Horses junction: Winchester residents call for improvements

The crash led to campaigns for a safer junction. Following a deputation in November, Cllr Jackie Porter said: “We have been campaigning for a safer junction here since 2014. The junction was changed but has since created even more confusion and we continue to seek a clearer and safer junction.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Former pub landlord David, who now lives in Stoke Charity, said: “The junction is no different, it’s always been dangerous. One of my chefs got killed there in addition to several other incidents, there were loads of prangs in that period. I nearly got runover walking my dog. Even if you drive up there now there’s still a lack of signage.

“In New Zealand for dangerous junctions like this you get signs with a picture of a coffin on and that’s what here needs. Better signs or a roundabout.

SEE ALSO: Hampshire country pub to re-open by Easter under new ownership

“There’s nothing if you’re coming from the Basingstoke direction – foliage has grown over the sign and you wouldn’t know there is a junction there. Meanwhile, if you’re waiting at the junction to go right to Winnall it’s like straddling a railway line.

“If you live in the area, you’re probably aware of the dangers but there’s nothing for strangers. The council hasn’t tried to sort the problem and I don’t know why. Don’t think they realise how serious it is, it’s going to take more people to die for it to change.

“The council has gotten away with murder. We need people who know Kings Worthy to be making the decisions.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said:“The council is fully aware of local residents’ concerns about the Cart and Horses junction and can confirm the authority intends to work with National Highways during the development of its M3 Junction 9 improvements and consider options for making changes to the junction.

"At this early stage, it is not possible to provide any further detail or indicate likely timescales.”

The ex-landlord managed the 16th century pub for 25 years. The venue has since been taken over by Greene King, with Mr Smith describing it now as a "glorified restaurant".