01/10/2026
PRESS RELEASE:
Major Step Forward for Copcut Junction After Years of Pressure
Years of pressure from Droitwich residents and local councillors have resulted in a major step forward towards improvements at the Copcut junction.
Cllr Richard Morris, Cllr Seb James and Cllr Dan Birch, who represent areas of Droitwich Spa on Worcestershire County Council, have been working together to press for a full assessment of the junction and the options available to ease congestion.
The traffic light system was introduced following development at Copcut Rise and Newland, despite concerns raised at the time by Cllr Morris and local residents.
Since then, the junction has remained a significant source of frustration, with a petition calling for improvements attracting more than 860 signatures.
Residents have also repeatedly highlighted the wider knock-on effect when traffic backs up, particularly towards Copcut roundabout and on roads leading from surrounding estates.
Responses to the Droitwich Spa Neighbourhood Plan consultation described traffic “blocking back to Copcut roundabout and beyond”, while another resident said Pulley Lane was “delaying hundreds of people”. Another simply described the Copcut junction as “a total mess.”
The situation can become particularly difficult when there are incidents on the motorway, roadworks elsewhere in Droitwich or diversions which place additional pressure on the A38.
A number of changes have already been made to the junction, including following a serious road traffic collision and, more recently, alterations to the sequencing of the traffic lights after councillors pressed for more vehicles to be allowed through along the A38.
However, Cllrs Morris, James and Birch believe further improvements are clearly needed.
Following continued public and councillor pressure, Highways chiefs have now allocated Department for Transport funding to allow Worcestershire County Council officers to commission a full traffic survey of the junction.
The survey will provide a detailed assessment of traffic movements and allow officers to consider the full range of possible improvements, including what is practically achievable, what different options could cost and the impact they could have on congestion and journey times.
Councillors hope that once the work is complete, the options can be presented to Droitwich residents so local people have an opportunity to help influence what happens next.
Cllrs Morris, James and Birch said:
“This is the first significant step forward we have seen at Copcut for a long time.
“Residents have consistently told us about the impact this junction is having, and the problem goes far beyond simply waiting at one set of traffic lights. When Copcut backs up, it affects the roundabout, surrounding roads and can leave people waiting a considerable amount of time just to get out of their estate.
“It becomes even more apparent when there is an incident on the motorway, roadworks elsewhere in Droitwich or additional traffic being diverted onto the A38. This is one of the main routes through our town and it needs to work properly.
“Thanks to continued public pressure, we are now at a point where funding can be assigned to properly assess the junction and establish what is realistically possible and at what cost.
“Having a clear plan will put us in a much stronger position to secure funding for the improvements themselves and, importantly, give local residents an opportunity to influence the solution.
“There is still work to do, but this is a great step forward towards improving traffic in Droitwich Spa.”
The three councillors have said they will continue working with Worcestershire County Council Highways as the survey progresses and will keep residents updated as the possible options become clearer.
ENDS
