Refuge for youngsters in busy road gains approval

Durham County Council will build the island in the middle of the A177 Durham to Bowburn road, outside the Seven Stars pub at Shincliffe Village.

Officials hope it will make the journey to and from Shincliffe Church of England Primary School safer for pupils and parents who have to cross the road.

But Gilesgate Councillor Dennis Southwell told the highways committee that children crossing without an adult would be terrified when they reached the refuge and found themselves surrounded by traffic.

He said: "I would not like my grandchildren to be standing there in the middle of a busy road.

"It is a fatality waiting to happen. We are creating a dangerous point for children crossing a very busy road.''

He added that some kind of controlled crossing for pedestrians should be created instead.

But the council's highways chief, Roger Elphick, said: "I can't accept the refuge would be dangerous. It has to be safer than what they have at the moment.''

He added that the refuge would slow down traffic on the 40mph road which, he said, did not meet the criteria for having a zebra or lights-controlled crossing.

The committee also heard that the school originally wanted a refuge, but was now against the idea.

Mr Elphick said: "Perhaps they thought, if we can have a refuge, why can't we have a crossing?''

Two members of Shincliffe Parish Council, six residents and the school objected to the refuge, councillors were told.

One objector said the speed limit should be reduced to 30mph but the committee was told that, under new Government guidance, it would not be appropriate.

Neil Foster, councillor for Tudhoe, supported the refuge, saying that young children should be accompanied to school by a parent.

He added: "It is much better for a child to have the chance to break up the crossing of the road.''

The scheme will entail moving a bus stop a short distance to allow the refuge to be built