Safety improvements promised at danger A66 junction

HIGHWAYS chiefs have agreed to make safety improvements to a dangerous junction on the A66.
Highways England will make the changes to the New Lane junction at Ravensworth after the intervention of Richmondshire MP Rishi Sunak.
Ravensworth Parish Council had written to him asking for his help after villagers raised concerns about the T-junction on a single carriageway stretch of the important east-west trunk road.
The villagers said the junction, which lies in a dip in the landscape, is poorly signposted and there are insufficient warning signs for motorists, particularly when travelling from the west.
Mr Sunak wrote to the Government agency asking it to address the villagers’ fears
He said: “The A66 single carriageway sections of this vital artery are to be made dual carriageway but work will not start for a few years yet – it is important that the junction is made safer now."
Mr Sunak said he was delighted that Highways England had agreed to erect permanent, prominent junction signs to take the place of temporary signs and also to install reflective marker posts to make the junction more visible, especially after dark.
He added: “Anyone who has used this junction, especially at busy times, will know how difficult it can be to join or leave the A66 here. Dualling will ultimately provide a much better solution  but in the meantime this will certainly help motorists spot it in good time."
In its response to Mr Sunak, Highways England said it would continue reviewing other possible improvement measures for the junction although the parish council’s idea of a 40mph speed limit on the A66 near the New Lane turn-off had been ruled as not appropriate.