Councils work together in hope of making 'dangerous' A66 routes safer

Villagers were devastated to hear in April that the long-awaited Brigham and Broughton roundabout project was being axed.

As far back as 2014, more than 900 people attended drop-in sessions about plans to improve the busy, staggered junctions. The plans had been prompted by a long campaign by concerned residents.

Over the years, plans progressed, designs were revealed, construction start dates came and went.

Council chairman Mary Bradley at the busy junction on the A66 (Image: Newsquest)

Then, in late April, National Highways said that following a business case review, the scheme would not be pursued.

Parish councils have now decided to pool their resources and work together in the hope of the decision being reconsidered.

They want to establish the exact criteria on which the decision was made.

They feel that it was made based on out-of-date data. The junctions are even busier now following various housing developments, they say.

Councillors will collect their own data, during rush hours. They are also appealing to drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to report all near misses to the police.

Representatives from the councils of Broughton, Brigham, Greysouthen and Little Clifton met this week to discuss the way forward.

Broughton Parish Council chairman Mary Bradley said: "The idea is that all the affected councils work together. So many people have written to different people and got different replies.

"Up until the meeting it's been very disparate, we need a concerted effort.

"It was a very constructive meeting. We had a really good discussion and there was a positive atmosphere.

"We agreed on all the things we need to do.

"I think there's a great willingness to give it our best shot. We are all on the same page and sharing what we have.

"We just want to try and put the best case forward that we can - in a systematic way."

The councils have the Highways data but want to provide their own.

"There's lots of data for going along the A66 but not for coming from villages," said Mrs Bradley.

"We shall be out there, counting cars.

"Reporting near misses is really key. When you are in the middle of the road and cannot get into the waiting box, it's so dangerous. All this needs to be recorded."

Once data and information has been collected, the plan is to have a public meeting in the early autumn.

Residents are keen for changes to be made.

"People feel the decision has been made by people that do not use the junction. They don't realise how dangerous it is and how it's getting worse," said Mrs Bradley.

"There can be huge volumes of traffic backing up beyond the waiting area as you wait to turn into Broughton.

"New builds have had a big impact on that junction, people are frustrated. Land was bought, surveys were done, then we had a last-minute decision. Based on what?

"Money has already been spent and there was an expectation it was going to be built. We feel misguided.

"Everyone sees the traffic increasing and the risks growing, that's why we need to work as one big team and try and get the message across in a united front."