CONCERNED locals have urged the council to act now and reduce the speed limit around a ‘dangerous’ roundabout before it’s ‘too late’.
Residents around Claycliffe Road in Barugh Green have long been campaigning to get the 40mph speed limit - near to the roundabout which leads to Barugh Lane and Barnsley Road - reduced to 30mph.
They say there’s been numerous crashes in the area in recent weeks - including one on Tuesday which caused buses to divert for hours while emergency services attended.
Eric Richardson, 77, has lived in the area for a number of years and has called on Barnsley Council to reduce the speed of vehicles.
He told the Chronicle: “There’s been three very serious road traffic accidents in the last three months.
“There’s also been numerous near misses leading to vehicles speeding through the village, mounting the kerb and causing damage to properties.
“This could lead to an innocent pedestrian being seriously injured or even a fatality.
“We’re appealing to Barnsley Council to seriously consider imposing a 30mph speed limit through Barugh Green on Barnsley Road, Claycliffe Road up to the Chestnut Tree pub.
“This will ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists moving through the village.”
A female resident, who wished to remain anonymous, has also been campaigning for a similar outcome - and she says she’s picked up car parts involved in collisions while litter picking in the area.
She added: “I emailed a councillor in March and had nothing back so I got in touch with highways.
“Nobody seems to be bothered about the issue.
“The response I received that it was based on the number of fatalities.
“There’s numerous accidents week in week out, why do we have to wait until someone dies?
“It’s ridiculous.”
Another resident, Graham Fitt, says he’s been asking for something to be done for over a decade - but to no avail.
He said: “We’re very concerned about everything that’s happening.
“I’m worried that someone is going to get seriously hurt.
“There’s probably been three incidents in the last few weeks.
“We’ve been trying to get something done for the last 13 years.
“People drive so quickly on here.
“It really ought to be 30mph.”
Coun James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and highways, said: “Road safety remains a top priority for the council.
“Through our flagship Don’t Drive Daft campaign, we’re challenging behaviours like speeding, distraction and driving under the influence.
"Claycliffe Road has a 40mph speed limit.
“The recorded average speed on this road is 27.5mph, with 85 per cent of vehicles travelling at or below 38mph, indicating strong compliance with the speed limit.
"Based on the data from personal injury collisions and the recorded vehicle speeds, the vehicle speeds on Claycliffe Road do not contribute to an increased risk of collisions.
"As a result, Claycliffe Road is not currently considered a priority site for intervention.
“However, we will continue to monitor the situation."
