Traffic lights to replace mini roundabout at notorious junction in Seamer
North Yorkshire County Council say there's been a 'high number of collisions' there in recent years
Safety improvements are about to begin to address a history of collisions at a Seamer junction.
The mini-roundabout at the Stoney Haggs Road/Scarborough Road/Pasture Lane junction will be replaced with traffic lights.
County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said:
“The current mini-roundabout has seen a high number of collisions in recent years, often as a result of drivers failing to give way. By replacing the roundabout with traffic signals, the conflict at the crossroads will be removed, making the junction safer for motorists. The improvements will also greatly improve the safety for pedestrians, as pedestrian crossings will be incorporated into the signals.
“Other options were considered by our highways team, but traffic lights are thought to be the safest solution and the least disruptive, given the large array of utilities services underground in the area.”
Work is scheduled to begin on Monday, 26 October, and, dependent on the weather, is expected to be completed within six weeks.
County Councillor David Jeffels, the Seamer area member, has been a long-standing campaigner for improvements at the crossroads.
He said:
“It has been the scene of several accidents both before the roundabout was built and since, because it was generally felt in the light of experience, that the roundabout was too small. With the extensive housing developments which have taken place, and the resultant increase in traffic, the provision of traffic lights will be a welcome improvement, especially for road safety both for motorists and pedestrians.”
He said the County Council’s highway engineers had worked hard to devise a scheme that would benefit residents of Seamer, Irton and Crossgates in particular.
Work will take place mainly between 7am and 5.30pm on weekdays only. However, carriageway resurfacing will be undertaken during the final week of the scheme over four nights between 7pm and 2am. Signs will be erected locally to notify people of the night-time operations. A diversion will be in place while the resurfacing takes place.
Temporary four-way lights will be in use while these improvements are made. Wherever possible, these temporary lights will be removed at weekends.
Access for pedestrians will be maintained all the time, though at times pedestrians will need to use temporary walkways if works are occupying the footways. Vehicle access will be restricted, as will on-street parking, during working hours.
Keep up to date with progress on the work at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/stoney-haggs-road-junction-improvements