School road plan debate (From The Advertiser Series)

Councillors to consider Spennymoor traffic measures

3:50pm Sunday 13th January 2013 in News By Catherine Priestley, Chief Reporter (Sedgefield)

COUNCILLORS are to consider introducing a series of traffic measures around a new secondary school.

Durham County Council must introduce a traffic management plan around Whitworth Park School and Sixth Form College, in Spennymoor, which opened in September following the merger of Tudhoe Grange and Spennymoor Schools.

Consultants working for the authority have suggested a two lane approach to the Whitworth Road traffic lights from both Grayson Road and Clyde Terrace directions to ease congestion.

It is also proposed to introduce a pedestrian phase at the lights to improve road safety for pupils at the crossroads and other pedestrians throughout the day.

The proposed scheme also includes waiting restrictions on Whitworth Road, Clyde Terrace and Grayson Road.

Highways officers say this is necessary to prevent parked cars, particularly parents dropping off or collecting pupils at the school gates, from obstructing the two lane approach to the signals and blocking school buses wishing to enter the grounds.

But residents have objected with complaints including the loss parking spaces outside their homes and the fear a rat run will be created behind Clyde Terrace if drivers try to jump the lights.

A 40 name petition against the waiting limits was submitted to the council and Durham County Councillors Kevin Thompson and Ben Ord have voiced concerns about the loss of on-street parking.

Officers will recommend that members of the council’s highways committee approve the proposal when it meets at County Hall, in Durham, on Thursday morning. (Thursday, January 17)