A North East MP has said the work that has begun on the installation of new traffic lights at a junction is “too late” following fatal crashes at the location.

Mary Foy, MP for City of Durham, has hit out after it was announced yesterday that work had started on installing traffic lights at the A690 turn-off onto Pittington Road, in West Rainton, near Durham.

Ms Foy said that although it was a “relief” that the “long campaign” has been successful, she felt it was “long overdue.”

Read more: A690: Work starts on lights at Durham junction after fatal crash​

The junction was branded as “dangerous” and “carnage” by residents in the area following multiple crashes, some resulting in fatalities.

Since then, residents have campaigned, with the support of Ms Foy, to see measures put in place by Durham County Council to make the junction safer.

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Last year it was reported that thousands had signed a petition to see the road made safer with organiser Nichola Hall stressing that “we are all in agreement that things must change now.”

The Northern Echo last year reported on an accident at the junction which resulted in the air ambulance being called to the scene and one man being taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Earlier in the summer of 2022 there had been a crash at the same junction, resulting in the “needless death of a young mother” according to resident Alan Lowery.

Read more: A690 Durham junction: Hundreds sign petition to prevent 'deaths'

Mr Lowery lives opposite the junction, which he says gives him the “perfect location” for the “daily carnage” at the crossing point.

Work has now started to install the lights and are expected to take 14 weeks to complete.

However, Ms Foy stressed that it “shouldn’t take a series of fatal collisions for action to be taken on a well-known accident blackspot.”

She added: “It will be a relief to the local community that after a long campaign work is finally beginning to install traffic lights at the Rainton Gate junction.

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“Everyone who uses the A690 will know how difficult this junction is to navigate, and residents have been fighting for this stretch of road to be made safe for decades.

“I'm so grateful to all the residents, councillors and community groups that have been in touch with me about this issue, and who have worked together to make this happen.

“This is a victory for local residents, and I look forward to visiting the site in the future to see the new, safe Rainton Gate junction.”