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| The B1281 looking east towards Blackhall Colliery from the Hardwicke Hall junction |
This follows contact over the past few months from residents, businesses, walkers and other road users expressing their concerns about the potential dangers of vehicles and pedestrians using this road at particular times, especially during the hours of darkness. We have argued that there are specific circumstances at this location which would warrant the reinstatement of streetlights. These include the unusual twisting and undulating road layout, two difficult junctions at Hardwicke Hall and Belchford and also the potential increase in use of this road generated by future housing development.
In addition, we recently contacted the police and highways management officers to request a review or survey of traffic use and road safety along the entire B1281 between Blackhall Colliery and Castle Eden following two separate accidents, one near to the Hardwicke Hall junction and the other close to the eastern junction from Hesleden onto the B1281, both incidentally in daylight and good weather conditions.
This latest request is not to be confused with traffic-calming measures already approved for the stretch of the B1281 as it passes through Castle Eden. We have been assured that road safety measures agreed as part of a road traffic review by Durham Constabulary and the county council will begin this summer, as soon as roadworks in this area are fully completed. We have also worked closely with members of Castle Eden Parish Council on a proposal to have speed visors installed at this location (please see posts dated Friday 22 February 2019 for additional information on the matter).