Bid to cut accidents on A189 in Northumberland

New measures are being introduced on a busy road in a bid to cut accidents.
New measures are to be installed on the A189 Spine Road southbound on the approach to Moor Farm roundabout in a bid to cut the number of accidents.New measures are to be installed on the A189 Spine Road southbound on the approach to Moor Farm roundabout in a bid to cut the number of accidents.
New measures are to be installed on the A189 Spine Road southbound on the approach to Moor Farm roundabout in a bid to cut the number of accidents.

The A189 southbound approach to the A19/A189 Moor Farm Roundabout, near Cramlington, has an unwanted record of rear end shunt type collisions – and the roundabout itself is the number one collision hotspot in Northumberland.

Factors include high approach speeds and variable queue lengths combining to increase the potential for rear end shunts despite significant signage, road markings, improved road surfacing and a reduced speed limit.

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Now Northumberland County Council has teamed up with Clearview Intelligence Ltd, a company who utilise technology to address road safety and traffic congestion problems, to develop a scheme which will provide drivers with real time information of the traffic situation ahead.

New LED signs will be installed which uses vehicle detection equipment linked to advance LED signage to encourage southbound drivers to approach slowing and queuing traffic at appropriate speeds.

The signs will activate to display a “Queues Ahead” warning sign and an appropriate advisory speed limit when sensors detect traffic ahead slowing or queuing.

Coun John Riddle, Cabinet Member for Local Services, said: “With over 3,000 miles of roads in our county, improving safety is always a priority, especially where evidence shows there’s increased risk of accidents.

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“This high-tech solution should hopefully lead to a reduction in incidents, although we’d still stress drivers need to pay attention at all times and be prepared to react to changes ahead of them.”

County Councillor for Cramlington Village, Coun Mark Swinburn, said: “While this stretch of road is used by thousands of vehicles every day it was seeing far too many accidents and it was a concern for both me and local residents.

“Despite improvements to signs, speed limits and road surfaces it was clear more needed to be done and I’m pleased this new technology is being installed which should give drivers even more warning of conditions ahead.”

Andy Salotti, of Clearview Intelligence, said: “It's been a pleasure working with Northumberland County Council to provide a specific solution, using proven technology, to their issue on the A189 at Cramlington.”

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The final installation and testing will take place overnight on Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19. The road will be closed at this location both nights between 8pm and 6am. Diversions will be in place.