A County Durham councillor has warned of continued safety concerns at a roundabout following several reported crashes.
David Sutton-Lloyd, county councillor for Aycliffe North and Middridge, urged council officials to respond to the increase in alleged incidents at the Rushyford roundabout on the A167 despite recent road improvements.
The busy roundabout has five exits with dual carriageways merging into single lanes of traffic and was widened to include an extra lane last year.
Speaking at a council meeting, the Conservative councillor said: “It’s still not right; we’ve had numerous crashes, especially coming from the Sedgefield area.
“It’s so worrying that, after eight years, I decided to put a webcam in my car because I nearly got taken out. I lodged a complaint for it to be looked at several weeks ago and haven’t had a reply.”
Last year, residents living near the circular junction between the busy A167 and A689 at Rushyford, near Newton Aycliffe, in County Durham, called on the council to improve road safety.
But Durham County Council said there have been no record incidents since the redevelopment and the roundabout’s layout complies with safety standards.
Nicholas Bryan, transport and infrastructure manager, said: “Rushyford roundabout meets national design standards and an independent road safety audit, undertaken as part of the design process, did not identify any issues for vehicles at this location.
Recommended reading:
- Plans for huge County Durham solar farm refused over threat to countryside
-
Huge pipeline to be built across Durham and Darlington to improve water quality
-
Durham council vows to allocate social housing 'fairly' to those in greatest need
“Since the work was completed last October, there have been no recorded personal injury accidents involving traffic approaching from the Sedgefield direction. However, we always welcome feedback from the public and we will continue to monitor the situation.”
The council has redeveloped the nearby road network over the past year in preparation for the new Copelaw housing development at Newton Aycliffe, which also includes community facilities and a primary school.
More than 1,300 homes and 92 extra care apartments are proposed for the new housing estate off the A167 near Central Avenue and Ricknall Lane.
Share