A £1.3 million revamp of a major roundabout that takes drivers off the M5 and towards Malvern has been branded “terrible”.

During a heated debate at Worcestershire County Council , Labour group chairman, Richard Udall, claimed people were “scared” to use the new-look roundabout on the A4440 at Whittington.

Coun Udall said: “I’ve had three or four e-mails from people in St John’s about this island, and they are all saying how much they dislike it. It’s terrible.

“Drivers have had near misses already, people are scared to use it, it’s that bad, and ultimately no amount of tinkering or playing around with traffic islands will make a difference unless we dual the southern link road. Until we do that nothing will change.”

His criticism led to furious exchanges, with Conservatives saying he had a “political axe to grind”. But Councillor Alwyn Davies, a Conservative, also said he was unhappy with the roundabout.

“All the way back in February there were fears voiced that the work at Whittington roundabout would not improve traffic flow, and it looks like that was right,” he said. “Traffic backs all the way back to the motorway and I’m sorry to say we’ve already seen accidents.”

Councillor Simon Geraghty, deputy leader and cabinet member for the economy and infrastructure, said: “I drove along it this morning and thought it was working very well – and when it comes to improvement work on islands, safety advice is always taken.

A safety audit is taking place at Whittington island in the next few weeks, as is usual when work like this is complete, and I’m sure that will show up any issues.

In the spring or summer of next year the Ketch roundabout will have a re-design.