FRESH calls for more traffic calming measures to be installed on a ‘dangerous’ road in Cudworth have been made following another crash.
Pontefract Road’s issues with parked cars and speeding have been highlighted this week after a box van hit a lamp post - before it caused damage to a house - last Friday night.
The Chronicle recently revealed that Barnsley Council had approved plans to enforce a traffic regulation order on the road, from Montague Street to Crosby Street, and double yellow lines have been painted on some sections to prevent motorists from parking on the road.
But speed - although it is not clear if it played a part in last week’s incident - is the crux of the issue, according to residents, who say they want more to be done to slow traffic on the notoriously bad road which claimed a cyclist’s life in November last year.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, believes boy racers use Pontefract Road as part of a route which begins at Robert Street car park, Cudworth, and goes through the village before motorists use the nearby bypass towards Carlton.
“I’ve lived on Pontefract Road for 17 years and it’s always been the same,” they told the Chronicle. “It’s worrying as soon as you go round the corner where the car wash is, towards Shafton roundabout, it’s arrow straight.
“The double yellow lines have been painted because some residents, particularly those who live off Pontefract Road down the side streets, couldn’t see when they were pulling out.
“But while that’s stopped people parking however they want, it’s freed the road up and if anything has made the traffic even faster. You do one thing, which appears to be positive, but these idiots who speed then take advantage of it.
“Robert Street car park, behind Barnsley Road’s shops, is where they congregate. The cars are regular and then go down the bypass, via Pontefract Road, at speed.
“The recent crash wasn’t a boy racer, but the only way accidents happen is if the driver loses control. It’s a straight road - two buildings have been hit in the last year alone.”
A detailed investigation was carried out on Pontefract Road last year, according to the council, and it was identified that the area between the Montague Street and Crosby Street exits would receive attention in a bid to reduce the likelihood of further incidents - although mirrors are no longer allowed to be installed on public highways.
Coun Joe Hayward told the Chronicle that speed operations, carried out by the police, would be something he would back to address residents’ concerns, while traffic counters - which record speed and volume - could be fitted.
“I’m happy to look into it for residents and the traffic counters could be a good plan,” Coun Hayward said. “We’ve had them on Burton Road, in Monk Bretton, which has had similar problems with crashes and speeding.
“As ever it’s the minority who are responsible and there’s no real way of stopping them. You can put speed bumps in, but then you’ll have complaints from the police, ambulances and buses.
“The road does lend itself to speed operations as there’s lay-bys in which vehicles can be pulled over and because it’s straight, police can get a good vantage point.
“The council painted double yellows but that has cleared up the road, so the straight part is the main area of concern with speeding.
“It is a big problem on Pontefract Road, as it is at the bypass off Shafton roundabout, but it’s a tough issue to solve.”
Contact police on 101 if you have any information about last Friday’s incident.
