DESPITE the antics of a noisy few, there are many in Hexham who are looking forward to the improvements at Bridge End roundabout.
Almost every morning, eastbound traffic on the A69 is held up by commuters flooding out of Hexham to Newcastle.
And whenever Rotary Way is held up the logjam quickly blocks the A69 going west; often the queue goes back for over a mile.
Most of this traffic just wants to carry on to Carlisle or the M6 and after being delayed, some will inevitably try to make up time and be tempted to overtake dangerously on the single carriageway section further on.
Because every car, van and lorry has to brake for the roundabout and then accelerate from a standstill, the junction is a pollution hotspot with metallic brake dust accumulating 24 hours a day and excessive exhaust fumes in the air from cars being held up and then accelerating again.
Most of this needless waste could be avoided if through-traffic could simply cruise efficiently underneath.
No-one is going to buy another car or van just because this junction has been improved, but existing journeys will be safer, quicker, more efficient, use less fuel and be better for the environment, especially the environment on the edge of Hexham.
DUNCAN CUMBERLIDGE
Hexham
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