A PETITION calling for improved road safety at a notorious dale junction has gained almost 1,000 signatures.
Louise Robinson had a lucky escape last month when her car collided with a van that had failed to stop at the Kinninvie crossroads.
Ms Robinson, who lives at Holwick, was travelling towards Staindrop on the B6279 on February 22 when the Toyota van did not stop at the junction, clipping the rear driver’s side of her Nissan Micra.
Ms Robinson and her four passengers all escaped unhurt.
It is one of four accidents at the crossroads in recent weeks – the most recent of which was Monday, March 16.
In an attempt to keep drivers safe, Ms Robinson launched a petition calling for changes to be made to the junction. So far, 983 people have pledged their support.
Ms Robinson, 24, said: “The response has been unbelievable. I was only expecting 100 signatures, not nearly 1000.
“It really shows what a great community the people of Teesdale are because we have all pulled together about something that really matters to us all.”
Last week’s accident saw a vehicle plough into the home of Jim Brough and his family for the seventh time. They have lived at the crossroads for 21 years but the recent spate of collisions has prompted them to move to Copley.
Ms Robinson said: “When I heard about another accident there last week I felt sick. I was so shocked but at the same time not.
“It just shows that the road isn’t safe, especially when not all of the people going straight over aren’t local therefore don’t know the roads. I feel so sorry for the residents of Kinninvie and I’m not shocked at all that the Broughs are moving out.”
The primary school teacher has written a letter to Teesdale MP Dehenna Davison which she plans to send once the petition has reached 1000 signatures. Having already met with a member of Durham County Council’s highways department and Barnard Castle west councillor Richard Bell, she is now hoping that changes are made as soon as possible.
She said: “The next accident could be next week and it could be a serious fatality. Everyone has been so lucky so far in the past month – I really don’t know how.
“I don’t travel along the road anymore. I travel to Barney and turn off near the golf course and come along to the road at the next crossroads.
“I’m trying to persuade my family and friends to stop using the road too. I worry that it will be one of them getting hit one day and I don’t want that to happen.”
Ms Robinson believes that measures such as more signage could help the issue.
She said: “I would love to see it being made into a staggered junction but I know that isn’t going to happen.
“However, more signage like the solar-powered slow signs on Folly Top corners would be great. I think there needs to be more than one. One wouldn’t make any changes I don’t think.
“Lowering the speed limits for Kinninvie on both roads would also be a possibility but a lot of drivers don’t always stick to speed limits. I don’t know if there is a solution that will 100 per cent solve the issue.”
Ms Robinson thanked everyone who had signed the petition.
She added: “It means a lot. I’m not doing it for myself. I’m doing it for the community. I want us all to be safe.”
