New look at accident blackspot (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

New look at accident blackspot

1:22pm Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News By Janet Gleeson

A NEW scheme is being investigated to improve safety at a junction labelled a death trap by concerned campaigners.

Five lane ends, at the junction of Firby Road and Sussex Street in Bedale has been the scene of two crashes in the past year.

One saw an elderly mobility scooter rider killed, and the other saw a car crash through the front window of a complex for elderly people.

Highway engineers had ruled out traffic lights at the junction or a light controlled crossing because of limited vision and installation problems on the pathway.

Coun Clive Pointon told Bedale Town Council after a meeting with highway managers and Bedale County Councillor John Weighell, they were now looking at a zebra crossing away from the junction near a health centre.

It would use an existing public right of way to take pedestrians round the back of the junction.

There could also be a 20mph limit on Firby road with raised areas on the road to slow traffic and barriers on Sussex street, near Samways Court to stop pedestrians walking straight out onto the road.

Coun John Noone said: "They are going to investigate what can and can’t be done, they are looking at all the options, it is a good start.”

Coun Weighell added: "I thought highways were very positive. Nobody is under any illusions that there is an easy or quick solution to this. We may be looking at acquiring land and there could be at least half a dozen different owners.”

Councillors have asked for a report by the end of May.