A PARISH council has explained how a new roundabout in its village is set to benefit its residents and shoppers.

The new roundabout in Haydon Bridge – located where the T-junction used to be, near the village’s Co-op store – has been installed to improve traffic flow as well as making it easier for larger vehicles to move through the village.

“We had a study done and we had three open sessions where people came and have their say,” said the parish council’s deputy chair Eileen Charlton.

“We definitely have had public consultation repeatedly.

“(The project) has been in the Haydon News and it’s been mentioned repeatedly in the minutes from the parish council.”

Eileen went on to explain that the project has tried to keep everyone involved in the design on the roundabout.

“The village is a busy centre of a large parish. It is very important that we looked at it sensibly to try to accommodate everyone for parking,” she added.

Northumberland County Council also explained how the roundabout project has been designed to help both local residents and shoppers as they visit the village.

“The works at Haydon Bridge have all been aimed at improving safety, traffic flows and parking arrangements for residents, shoppers and visitors,” said a council spokesperson.

“While parking bays are not marked on Ratcliffe Road, we estimate there is now a net gain of four spaces in the area after we increased capacity on the bridge.”

The new roundabout has been installed at the meeting point of the village’s Ratcliffe Road and Church Street.