Residents living near a busy roundabout have slammed the interchange as unsafe after crashes and near-misses.

Locals near the circular junction between the busy A167 and A689 at Rushyford, near Newton Aycliffe, in County Durham, have called on the council to act before their fears of a fatal crash become a reality.

Durham County Council has said an upgrade of the roundabout, between Newton Aycliffe and Chilton, is due to start in the spring as part of a series of improvements along the A167.

The busy roundabout has five exits with dual carriageways merging into single lanes of traffic and visa versa within yards.

The Northern Echo: Fears over safety have been expressed by people living near the Rushyford roundabout, between Newton Aycliffe and ChiltonFears over safety have been expressed by people living near the Rushyford roundabout, between Newton Aycliffe and Chilton (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Andrew Burn, who said he can hear beeping cars from his home said: “Are they waiting for someone to die before making changes?

“I contacted the council and they said in December they’d be doing work imminently but they still haven’t started.

“There’s countless bumps where the lanes merge and the road markings are awful.

“It needs traffic lights on it.”

Durham County Council told Mr Burn in an email on December 11 that “the road markings at this location will be refreshed at the earliest possible convenience, weather and contractor schedule permitting”.

But he and fellow Chilton residents Tracy and Sean Byrne who have both had crashes there say it isn’t enough and traffic lights should be installed.

The Northern Echo: Fears over safety have been expressed by people living near the Rushyford roundabout, between Newton Aycliffe and ChiltonFears over safety have been expressed by people living near the Rushyford roundabout, between Newton Aycliffe and Chilton (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Mr Byrne, who was cut off by another car in August, added: “It’s always been notorious for accidents but since we moved here we’re more aware of it because we hear the ambulances and police attending.

“There’ll be a lot of near-misses happen too.

“The traffic comes so fast you have to be ready to go.

“I’ve been down there and you see people just missing each other all the time.”

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Mrs Byrne added: “I am extremely fearful as I drive on that roundabout. I had a crash there a few years ago.

“I changed my car because I didn’t have enough power to pull away at that roundabout.”

Craig MacLennan, Durham County Council’s transport and infrastructure manager, said: “We’ll be delivering an upgrade of the A167/A689 Rushyford roundabout as part of a series of junction improvements we’re making along the A167 at Newton Aycliffe.

The Northern Echo: Fears over safety have been expressed by people living near the Rushyford roundabout, between Newton Aycliffe and ChiltonFears over safety have been expressed by people living near the Rushyford roundabout, between Newton Aycliffe and Chilton (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“Work at the roundabout is due to start in spring and on completion later this year, will increase the number of lanes both on the approaches and on the roundabout itself, improving traffic flow and easing congestion. There will be new line markings too.

“The revised design has gone through all of the appropriate safety reviews ahead of implementation.”