LIB Dem councillors in Darton East have teamed up with Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis in a bid to tackle the road safety woes in Staincross.
Concerns have been raised over a lengthy period of time over safety issues at the convergence of Shaw Lane and Paddock Road, and Greenside and Bar Lane.
In October 2023, Graham Silcock was killed while crossing Shaw Lane on his mobility scooter, using the pedestrian access ramps at the convergence of the four junctions.
His wife has engaged constructively and thoughtfully in discussions about potential safety improvements, Couns Leyla Nayeri, Carl Snowden and Dickie Denton say.
When a signal-controlled crossing was deemed unjustified under the PIC criteria, she suggested a range of alternative measures that might improve pedestrian safety at lower cost.
These include relocating dropped kerbs and access ramps away from the immediate junction area, identifying whether a zebra crossing may be feasible at a less complex point on the road, and introducing a pedestrian refuge island to allow people to cross in stages.
These proposals have been rejected by the local authority.
A family on Paddock Road has seen their property struck by vehicles on a number of occasions.
They have been monitoring speeds and there has been reports that many vehicles are speeding.
Dan, Leyla, Carl and Dickie all recognise that the council are undertaking work but have written to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents calling for an independent road safety perspective on how the situation should be evaluated.
In the letter, they said: “Over several years, residents have raised concerns about the safety of this location.
“Those concerns have become particularly acute following two separate but related issues: the tragic death of a pedestrian in 2023, and a recurring pattern of collisions involving vehicles failing to negotiate the same junction and crashing into the same residential property on Paddock Road.
“We recognise and appreciate the work already undertaken by Barnsley Council.
“The council has conducted reviews of the location and has implemented some measures, including refreshed road markings, additional signage, and a Speed Indicator Device (SID) albeit on a temporary basis.
“We also understand the council’s position that road safety investment must be prioritised using validated Personal Injury Collision (PIC) data.
“Nevertheless, many residents remain concerned that the complexity of this location and the daily experience of those who use it are not fully reflected by the collision statistics alone.
“This is exemplified in the cases of the Silcock and Seaton-Brown families.”
They have also asked a member of the team to visit the site to hear first-hand the views of residents.
In a joint statement, they told the Chronicle: “We’re always happy to work across party lines in the best interests of our residents - and that’s exactly what we’re doing here.
“We acknowledge the measures already introduced by Barnsley Council and appreciate the need to base decisions on PIC data and an evidence-led approach.
“However, when a one-off event happens more than once, it’s not a one-off.
“The pattern of incidents at this location suggests that further action needs to be considered.
“That’s why we have asked RoSPA for an independent view.”
