A69 crashes prompt new safety fears

A two-vehicle crash near Bardon Mill on Monday night was followed by a three-car collision on the Haydon Bridge bypass on Wednesday morning, which left two drivers in hospital.

The collisions follow an investigation by the Hexham Courant into the number of crashes reported on the trunk road in the last five years, which shows 158 crashes, including seven fatal, have been reported between Hexham and Gilsland since 2014.

In comparison, between Hexham and Ponteland, 103 crashes were reported within the same time period, two of which were fatal.

The data comes from the North East Regional Road Safety Resource website – a source which was highlighted by Highways England and Northumbria Police after the Courant contacted both organisations to place Freedom of Information requests.

Bardon Mill and Henshaw parish councils have long campaigned for improved safety measures on the road west of Hexham, much of which is single carriageway.

“We want safety put first before somebody else is killed,” said chairman of Henshaw Parish Council, Coun. Jeff Oliver.

“Since they put the average speed cameras up near Haydon Bridge, although they aren’t working yet, people speed up after them before Ridley Hall, increasing the speed along the road past Henshaw Garage.”

Chairman of Bardon Mill Parish Council, Stuart Furlong, added: “We want the statistics to dictate the event, not the event to dictate the statistics.”

Campaigners Gary Walton, Coun. Jeff Oliver, Graham Gill and Coun. Stuart Furlong beside the A69 at Henshaw. Photo: Bill Edgar

County councillor for Haydon and Hadrian, Alan Sharp said “passionate pleas from local people” should be urgently considered.

It comes as Highways England progresses a £30m improvement scheme for the road east of Hexham to upgrade the Bridge End and Styford roundabouts.

Councillor for Hexham West, Derek Kennedy, headed a 1,500-signature petition, demanding the scheme was halted in favour of improvements further west on the A69.

Hexham’s MP Guy Opperman said: “Highways England has repeatedly made it clear that the junction improvements at the Styford and Bridge End roundabouts are the precursor to the improvement and upgrade of the A69 further west. This £30m investment is significant, is part of the longer term strategy for upgrading the A69 and should be welcomed.

“This must not mean safety concerns at Henshaw and Bardon Mill are side-lined.”

A spokesman for Highways England said: “Safety is our top priority.

“We continually review safety across the A69 to identify areas for future safety work. We don’t have safety improvement schemes planned at Bardon Mill or Henshaw, however, we will continue to review the data and talk to parish councils.”