Improvement works on accident blackspot

SAFETY improvements will be carried out on a village road after the number of collisions have increased.

Rotherham Borough Council said collisions in Nether Haugh, particularly on the bend near the junction with Cortworth Lane, have risen since the start of the year.

Cabinet Member for planning, highways and street scene services, Councillor Gerald Smith, said: “The recent spate of accidents in Nether Haugh has been of great concern to us, and we share the concerns of local residents, ward members and the Nether Haugh action group.

“We are discussing with South Yorkshire Police and local ward members a wide range of potential options to improve the safety record of the B6089 Stubbin Road not just for this bend, but for the village as a whole, and have discounted nothing at this stage.

“Investigations will involve looking at the circumstances of the collisions, vehicle speeds and gathering video evidence of driver behaviour.

“A meeting will also be held to listen to the views and concerns of local residents and to gain any further information relating to the recent accidents.

“The results will then be used to form a view as to the most appropriate mitigation measures.

“In the meantime, as a first step to improving road safety following initial investigations, it is proposed to provide high friction surfacing around the bends at either end of the village and enhanced road markings at the changes in speed limit.

“This work is being given priority and will be carried out as soon as a contractor and the necessary traffic management can be arranged, which may involve a short term road closure.

“While the road surface has been tested and found to be OK, high friction surfacing is very visible and acts as another reminder to drivers to amend their behaviour while at the same time providing extra grip for vehicles negotiating the bend.

“This type of treatment has proved effective in similar situations elsewhere in the borough.

“This work, and anything else that may be implemented, will complement other road safety measures that have already been implemented.

“These include reflective marker posts, reducing the speed limit to 40mph on the Brampton approach to the village, and a speed indicator sign.”