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    04

    Feb 2023

    Last Updated: 03/02/2023
    Transport
    Transport

    Accident reignites calls for traffic lights at 'horrendous' Killinghall junction

    by John Plummer

    | 04 Feb, 2023
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    A collision involving a pedestrian this week has reignited debate about what can be done to improve safety at a bottleneck junction in Killinghall.

    The Ripon Road and Otley Road junction has been added to the agenda of Monday's Killinghall Parish Council meeting in the wake of the accident.

    It may be a new agenda item but it is an old topic, as parish council chairman Anne Holdsworth is only too aware. She says:

    "I've lived in the village since 1961 and that junction has always been a problem.
    "People in the village have been anticipating a collision like this. It's horrendous but the question is, what do you do?
    "I'm not sure what the solution is. All we can do is draw attention to it to the experts."


    The junction is frequently snarled up at rush hour so there are concerns about traffic flow as well as safety.

    Vehicles turning right from Otley Road or turning right on to Otley Road often face particularly long delays, and the addition of the Tesco Express — although widely welcomed in the rapidly-expanding village — has added another dimension to drivers' thoughts at the junction.

    Killinghall junction

    Turning right on to Otley Road



    North Yorkshire County Council, the highways authority, considered installing traffic lights pre-covid but nothing happened.

    Cllr Michael Harrison, a Conservative who represents Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate on the county council, said the traffic lights plans were "paused" due to work on the Tesco Express, which opened last year. Cllr Harrison added:

    "I have asked the council highways team for an update on this.
    "I have previously voiced concerns about potential congestion that signalising that junction might cause, although obviously that has to be balanced against safety concerns which are more apparent since the pub was converted to a Tesco."


    Tackling speed 'the priority'


    Villagers agree it's time for action — but what is the solution?

    Harvey Radcliffe said the junction was "poorly designed and an accident waiting to happen", adding:

    "It’s only a matter of time before someone gets killed. I’ve lived in the village for 12 years and I’ve never seen driving like it recently. I’m genuinely concerned for the kids and older residents of the village."


    Mr Radcliffe said speed prevention measures were the first priority. He said adding traffic lights and moving the bus stop that is close to the Tesco entrance, would help. He added:

    "Everyone’s in a rush but when you drive in a populated area, if there is one straight road the quality of driving becomes worse as people just see it as a race track, especially at night. I’ve seen taxis doing 60 or 70mph down Ripon Road."


    Killinghall junction

    The Tesco Express has created another factor for drivers to think about.



    A mini roundabout, similar to the ones that have improved traffic flow at Bond End, has been suggested but Killinghall resident Tom Beardsell, who recently posted a video on social media highlighting the problems facing motorists at the junction, isn't keen. He said:

    "There would be more accidents with a mini roundabout as most people don't know how to use them."


    Mr Beardsell said locals were "absolutely fuming" following this week's collision and suggested introducing smart lights that allowed traffic to flow on the A61 most of the time but changed when someone pulls up at Otley Road. He said:

    "It will disrupt traffic flow but it will be safer."





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    Former parish councillor Mike Wilkinson also thinks it's time for traffic lights.

    “As a resident and parent living in Killinghall, l am daily concerned that a fatality at the junction of Ripon/Otley Road will occur due to the unsafe driving witnessed on a daily basis.
    "Incidents have been reported to the police and also Harrogate Borough Council but no safety measures have been put in place to give reassurance to the Killinghall residents. I would like a meeting to be set up with relevant agencies and the public to share the recent issues
    "Traffic lights would be the best option, and this would stop traffic rushing through the junction especially trying to turn right from Otley Road onto Ripon Road."


    Whatever the parish council calls for this week, the final decision will rest with North Yorkshire County Council, and North Yorkshire Council — which will succeed it on April 1.