A coroner has called for a roundabout to be installed at a dangerous junction near Dolgellau, where six serious crashes have happened in the past five years.

Dewi Pritchard Jones was conducting inquests into the deaths of John Roach, 83, and 56-year-old Kevin John Haddock.

Both men died at the junction of the A470 and the A494 in 2014, just weeks apart.

Both fatal collisions involved cars turning right out of the A494 junction, and heading north on the A470.

Mr Roach of Manchester was killed on 23 May 2014 when for “unexplainable reasons” he pulled his red Citroën C3 out in front of a 7.5 tonne refuse lorry.

Despite the lorry taking evasive action, a collision occurred and Mr Roach was killed instantaneously.

Mr Haddock’s death followed only a few weeks afterwards, on 5 July.

A forklift driver from Birmingham, he was on his motorbike heading south along the A470 when driver Ian Ness of Newcastle pulled out of the A494 junction.

Mr Haddock (right) crashed into the front of Mr Ness’ car and was flung over the bonnet of the car, landing several metres away.

Although Mr Haddock survived the initial collision, he was later pronounced dead at Bronglais Hospital after suffering an array of serious injuries, mainly around the chest.

In witness statements, it became clear that the road layout, which had changed in April that year, was “confusing” even for those who had used the road layout several times.

Mr Pritchard Jones said it was his opinion that the road layout needed to be looked at — and that a roundabout may be the answer.

“It’s for others to decide what to do with the road, but my belief is that action should be taken to make this junction safe.”