Road to recovery

ACCIDENT scene . . . Councillor Heffernan at the spot where three men were killed when their car collided with a bus and hit a wall

Danger stretch to get £300k safety package

Major improvements to signs, crash barriers, road surfaces and a lower speed limit are planned for the A62 — one of Britain’s most dangerous roads.

The stretch, from Scouthead to the Kirklees boundary, has claimed five lives in seven years and has seen 14 serious injuries.

Now it will get almost £300,000 worth of improvements, including flashing speed signs, new road markings and anti-skid treatment at junctions.

In June, last year, the local length of A62 was branded the fourth most dangerous road in Britain.

A month later, Karl Jones died when he lost control of his Honda motorcycle close to Knarr Lane, Delph, on the A62.

And in March, 2006, three men died when their car collided with a bus close to the Doctor Lane junction at Scouthead.

Residents, councillors and local MP Phil Woolas have all demanded action. Now highways managers have agreed — and approved the scheme which will be put in place before the end of March. The work follows an expert report, and wide-ranging local consultation. The main findings were that speed may have played a part in some accidents — stretches of the road have a 60mph limit.

The report states: “Interaction between fast and slow vehicles is a potential contributory factor in accidents. The safest conditions arise when all travel at about the same speed.”

Four accident sites were identified at the Doctor Lane junction, Scouthead; Wall Hill Road; Knarr Mills, Delph; and from Stanedge Road to the Oldham boundary.

Drivers may either not be aware of hazards or familiarity may lead them to drive too fast in wet or dark conditions, the report adds.

Work includes:

::Reduced speed limits to 40mph between Scouthead and Delph and 50mph from Delph to Kirklees.

::Four vehicle activated signs at crossroads and severe bends.

::Improved traffic signs and road markings, and warnings about the Pennine Way footpath and bridleway.

::Skid-resistant surfacing at the Doctor Lane junction.

::Replacement of rusting safety barriers.

Councillor Derek Heffernan welcomed plans but had hoped the top speed limit would be 40mph.

He added: “Delph crossroads is going to become a dangerous junction, knowing drivers will speed up before the junction — we know drivers exceed the speed limit.”