Improvement works at a notorious crossroads where cars have crashed into the same house nine times in the last two decades have been completed.

Calls for enhanced safety measures at the Kinninvie crossroads near Barnard Castle in County Durham were renewed when a car ploughed into a family’s dining room last February.

Christian Dean had been eating lunch with his wife and daughter in the room an hour before a Volvo - which veered off the road after colliding with a van - smashed through the wall.

Mr Dean feared his family could have been killed in the crash had it happened an hour earlier.

The Northern Echo: Christian Dean at his home after the crash.Christian Dean at his home after the crash. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Extensive damage was caused to his property.Extensive damage was caused to his property. (Image: Contributor)

He told the Echo at the time: “If we were having lunch when the accident happened we would, without a doubt, all be dead.”

His family moved into the house in 2019, but Christian said he understood it was the ninth crash there in 20 years.

The crash sparked refreshed calls for safety improvements at the hazardous crossing after a series of smashes and near misses over the years.

Temporary traffic lights were installed, but some drivers were filmed skipping or ignoring the controls.

The Northern Echo: Temporary traffic lights were initially installed. Picture: October 2023.Temporary traffic lights were initially installed. Picture: October 2023. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The council initially planned to close the C140 northbound at the crossroads for 18 months and were considering permanently closing the route. But the closure was paused after criticism from locals.

New measures have now been installed including replacing ‘give-way’ signs with ‘stop’ signs, new road markings, applying a high friction road surface, and a new vehicle-activated warning sign with flashlights which warns northbound drivers they’re approaching a ‘stop’ line.

The Northern Echo: Stop signs have been installed on both approaches.Stop signs have been installed on both approaches. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

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Dave Lewin, Durham County Council’s strategic traffic manager, said: “We’ve completed a range of safety improvements at Kinninvie crossroads and have removed the temporary traffic lights on the approaches as planned.

"We held discussions with residents, Marwood Parish Council and the police before starting work, and though we consider these measures to be suitable and proportionate we will of course be monitoring the situation.”

The Northern Echo: The crossroads now the improvement works have been completed.The crossroads now the improvement works have been completed. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Similar improvement works have also been carried out on other nearby crossroads at the B6279 Moor Lane/C42 Dent Gate Lane and C42 Dent Gate Lane/C43 New Broomielaw.