A LOCAL authority chief has admitted there have been traffic accidents and problems with the road layout at Hexham’s Bridge End Roundabout.

Temporary turning areas recently introduced at the roundabout, which is undergoing an extensive restructure as past of a £30m scheme, have led to safety concerns from councillors and an advanced driving instructor over the past week.

At Monday’s meeting of Hexham Town Council, Northumberland County Council’s director of local services, Paul Jones, said the authority was liaising closely with Highways England, which is carrying out the works.

He added: “We are aware that there have been a number of traffic accidents at the new roundabout layout.”

Mr Jones said possible changes to the existing temporary layout was under consideration, while other factors, such as signage and rumble strips were also being examined.

He added: “The reason for these works was the number of accidents and shunts at that location.

“This is disruption with big benefits at the end of it.”

Last week, driving instructor Alan Nelson said the road layout was too confusing.