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Following discussions with local people Northumberland County Council is placing a temporary barrier around a footpath in Morpeth town centre.
The council is listening to the many views expressed about the traffic lights junction installed by Dransfield Properties as part of the new supermarket development at Low Stanners.
In order to reassure the public, particularly Morpeth residents, the council has put a temporary barrier in place to provide added protection for pedestrians on the north side of the junction.
Mike Scott, head of sustainable transport said: “We are listening to the views of local people and we take the issue of safety seriously. Therefore we are going to consider all the future options for the traffic lights scheme and we want to work with local people to agree a long-term solution. We want to hear all views so that we make the right decision to maintain Morpeth’s position as a thriving and beautiful market town.”
The junction has been carefully designed and analysed and provides a safe layout. However, we are aware of recent cases of driver error at the junction. We also accept that there is a perception amongst some pedestrians that walking past the junction is not entirely safe. The barrier will provide an important extra improvement that protects pedestrians and addresses driver error by preventing large vehicles overhanging the footway as they turn right from Telford Bridge to Damside.”
Council officers will be taking the opportunity to consider all the options for this heavily used junction and other traffic issues in Morpeth.
The temporary barrier could be replaced by permanent bollards at a later date. A series of other safety improvements involving adjustments to lane markings, changes to signal sighting and erecting bollards to protect the footpath at St George’s Church will also be put in place shortly.
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