Earlier this year, following concerns raised by members of the public about the new road layout on the B1281 in Blackhall Colliery, I contacted the highways section to ask for their comments. Please see post dated Sunday 20 March 2022 for background details: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2022/03/new-road-layout-on-b1281-in-blackhall.html
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| Approaching the roundabout from the Coast Road, looking from East to West |
Yesterday I received a response confirming that they are aware of the difficulties experienced by drivers and that an additional Road Safety Audit will be carried out when the housing development nearby is almost completed - with any outstanding safety matters to be addressed at that point.
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| Approaching the roundabout from the Yohden Care Complex, looking from West to East |
Please see the full response below, including contact details for the relevant officer in the highways section in the event their are any issues arising from the council's response:
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| Side view of the roundabout from the B1281, looking South-West towards the new estate |
Sent on behalf of Mark Readman – Head of Highway Services
Rob
B1281, Blackhall Colliery
Thank you for your email dated 11th May 2022 (initial query submitted 18 March 2022) please accept my apologies for the delay in replying to your initial email.
You will recall that the access arrangements for the residential development of is site were agreed under the outline planning permission DM/16/03450/OUT.
The main issue at that time, from a Highways point of view, was that the proposed residential development would be dangerous from a pedestrian safety point of view due to issues relating to existing vehicle speed long and pedestrian movements across the B1281, Hesleden Road.
Neither the Council’s Traffic Engineers nor Durham Constabulary would support a reduction in the speed limit, as it lacked credibility. Therefore, after discussions with senior Highway and Traffic officers based within the Council, it was considered that the solution to these problems was the creation of a physical roundabout on the B1281, Hesleden Road, with sufficient deflection both eastwards and westwards to physically reduce vehicle speeds along this route.
The roundabout fits the definition of a ‘compact’ roundabout as defined in DMRB
CD 116 (national design standard) and, as the requirement for the roundabout is based on safety rather than capacity, the single lane entries would not cause queueing problems on the network.
The roundabout was designed by a third-party engineering consultant commissioned by the developer, has been checked by our own Highway Design Team and subject to an independent Stage 2 Road Safety Audit (detailed design stage).
I do acknowledge some drivers may have experienced difficulties in negotiating the temporary traffic management arrangements and that there is always a time of embedding when people can get 'taken by surprise’ by a new road layout. However, we are satisfied that the roundabout is designed to appropriate standards and will be suitable and safe for all users once fully operational.
Furthermore, once work is considered substantially complete, a Stage 3 Road Safety Audit will be undertaken to establish and observe user behaviour. Should any issues arise regarding the construction these will be addressed at that stage.
I hope this provides some comfort at this time and would reassure you that we continue to secure improvements to highway infrastructure, such as this, to mitigate the impact of development and ensure the safe and efficient operation of the highway network.
I hope that this response is helpful and if you would like to discuss further please contact Phil Thompson, Highways Adoption Engineer on telephone number 03000 267106 or by email at Phillip.thompson@durham.gov.uk