A JUNCTION which has seen 14 accidents this year including three in a week is being re-examined by highway chiefs after residents, councillors and an MP raised concerns.

Many residents of Sedgefield, County Durham, have been avoiding the junction linking the town to the A177 for months, claiming it is only a matter of time before a fatal accident occurs.

They blame give way markings installed on the junction’s deceleration lane last August, which they believe confuse motorists, leading to hesitation and misjudgement.

Concerned former policeman Alan Patterson lives about 300 yards from the junction and says the sight of blue flashing lights has become a regular occurrence.

He sent a Freedom of Information request to Durham County Council to find out the number of accidents before and after the changes were implemented.

It revealed from 2007 to last August there were four accidents and after the changes were introduced there were 11 accidents.

This does not include the three most recent collisions on October 1, 6 and 7.

Of these accidents, none resulted in serious injuries and none took place in the first five months after the layout, the standard and recommended type for this junction, was introduced.

However, Sedgefield Town Council and MP Phil Wilson feared the worst and met with the police and Durham County Council’s Highways officers to discuss what to do.

Following a meeting yesterday (Thursday, September 9) with Mr Wilson and county councillor John Robinson, Dave Wafer, the council’s strategic traffic manager, said: “Following a number of recent collisions we will now be taking further steps to try and improve safety by temporarily closing the long southbound deceleration lane leading to the junction.

“This should help northbound traffic negotiate the turn more easily which we hope will reduce the number of accidents.

“We will continue to monitor this over the next few weeks and, if successful, the closure will be made permanent.”

Mr Paterson, 69, said: “I feel vindicated. The council finally have listened to what we’ve been telling them.

“I am not sure what they are doing is the best solution. They should return the junction to how it was in the first place with a deceleration lane but no give way markings.”

Cllr Robinson said: “It is good to see some positive steps being taken. The support we have had from our MP, council officers and the police has been invaluable.”

Mr Wilson added: “This is a step in the right direction. Hopefully it will prevent further accidents.”