A petition has been launched to prevent further deaths on a “dangerous” stretch of County Durham road that claimed the life of a female driver last weekend.
Part of the A690, which stretches from the roundabout of the A1(M) towards West Rainton, features several ‘blind’ junctions and three lanes of traffic, which has made it one of the most treacherous roads in the region.
On Saturday (July 2), emergency services were called to a two-car collision on the A-road at the junction of Pittington Lane.
Read more: Fury over A690 junction after serious crash in County Durham
At the time, it was reported that a person had been taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
Durham Police have since confirmed the person, who had been driving a Seat Leon, had died.
The unnamed driver has become the latest in a long line of fatalities on the A690 – and campaigners are now keen to bring a change to prevent further deaths.
In the aftermath of the latest accident, a Change.org petition has been launched to change the A690 Rainton Gate – with the petition stating: “One life lost, is one too many.”
The petition first appeared on Monday (July 4), but it has already racked up well over 2,000 signatures from concerned residents and those that regularly use the A690.
Through the online platform, the petition hopes to bring action from highway teams to make the road safer, which includes putting up traffic lights or changing the layout of the road.
Read more: A690 crash: Woman dies after incident near West Rainton junction
On the Change.org page, which was set up by Nichola Hall, it says: “Access in and out of West Rainton via the A690 is dangerous.
“It was acknowledged years ago that traffic lights were needed, or the layout needed to change.
“Please sign so we can show that we are all in agreement that things Must change now.
“One life lost, is one too many.”
Since the petition was created, scores of people have rushed to sign it – with some leaving comments about their reason for signing the document - including losing “treasured” family members.
Taking to the Change.org page, one user wrote: “I have just heard of the fatal accident at this site, and nobody is surprised because this junction is so dangerous. I am an experienced driver, and it scares me every time."
Another added: “I use this route regularly and it's dangerous. I almost had an accident just yesterday with someone cutting across the road in front of me.”
Durham County Council said that it is aware of the concerns raised over the A690 junction.
A spokesperson for the council said: “We are sorry to hear of Saturday’s incident. We are aware that concerns have been raised about safety at the West Rainton junction of the A690 and are working with the nearby housing developer to consider a potential future scheme in the location.”
You can view the petition here.
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