Work begins on town's 'death trap' junction

The first set of road safety improvements to improve visibility at a junction described as a "death trap" have been installed.

Residents and local councillors raised safety concerns following reports of two road traffic collisions at the junction of Bransdale Road and Grange Lane South in Scunthorpe.

One resident, Eric Maw, said: "Somebody's going to get killed, and I don't want it to be me," after his garden wall was hit by a car.

A North Lincolnshire Council spokesperson said new road signs and bollards have been installed and further work was due at the end of March.

In a statement, the authority said: "Following concerns raised and a review of police collision reports, a full review of the junction on Grange Lane South was conducted. This resulted in a new scheme being designed to enhance the visibility of the bend."

The council plans further work to improve the layout of the road. It also intends to paint new road lines and install retro-reflective road studs, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Max Bell, who represents the town's Ashby Lakeside ward, had called the junction "a death trap", highlighting high traffic volumes on Grange Lane South and the angle of the junction.

In response to the improvements, he added: "These hard-won road safety improvements are vital for Ashby and Bottesford  residents, pupils and teachers at Frederick Gough School, and anybody who drives through this area."

Councillor Judith Matthews, who also represents the ward, added: "Local residents regularly tell us that the dangerous road layout and spate of recent accidents is an important issue for them.

"We very much hope that the new measures will help make the area safer for residents, pedestrians, and drivers alike."

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