Latest crash prompts renewed call for lower speed limit, Teesdale Mercury

Latest crash prompts renewed call for lower speed limit

Jun 20, 2007

SHAKEN residents have renewed calls for a speed limit on the main road that cuts through their village, following the latest in a long line of accidents.

Evenwood Gate was the scene of yet another crash last week when a van collided with a parked car belonging to June Clairey, who had been visiting her elderly parents in the village.

No one was injured in the incident but Ms Clairey, who had stepped out of her car just minutes before the smash, said she felt ‘lucky to be alive'.

Two garden walls were destroyed in the accident, which took place just before 6pm on Wednesday, June 13.

Ms Clairey said: "I had just parked my car, and was putting some shopping away for my parents when we heard a terrible smash.

"I rushed outside and there was mess everywhere - the car is a complete write-off."

She added: "It was a terrible accident and it could have been so much worse - I'm just glad nobody was hurt."

Ms Clairey's mother, who has lived in the village for more that 20 years, said cars are allowed to travel through the village at 60mph, but that residents had twice petitioned Durham County Council to introduce a speed limit.

"We were told that because the road only has houses on one side a speed limit was not needed," she said. "But we all believe that a limit of 30 or 40mph could make a real difference."

This latest incident is the most recent in a series of accidents in the village.

Two years ago, a teenager was trapped in a phone box after a car smashed into it. More recently, there have been three accidents involving vehicles colliding with parked cars.

Keith Jameson, Durham County Council traffic engineer said: "The issue of a speed limit at Evenwood Gate has been considered extensively in recent times.

"We are waiting to receive details of this incident from the police, and until we know the exact circumstances, it would be improper to discuss it.

"When we receive the information, we will consider it very carefully."