New £90,000 crossing to keep families safe at Hartlepool traffic hotspot

The traffic light controlled crossing will be added to Easington Road dual carriageway to make it easier for people to get to access local amenities near the roundabout with Throston Grange Lane.

Councillors on Hartlepool’s Neighbourhood Services Committee unanimously voted in favour of the scheme.

The meeting heard that residents, ward councillors and the council’s Neighbourhood Forum had been asking for a crossing for years.

Alastair Smith, the council’s assistant director (neighbourhoods) said: “Pedestrians are required to cross the road when going to and from the hospital, the Lidl supermarket, the public house, and for accessing bus stops.

“More recently, complaints have been received from parents wanting a safer route for their children when going to and from school.”

The crossing will go to the east of the Throston Grange roundabout but before the central reservation gap which is used as a U-turn by vehicles heading to Jesmond Gardens.

Council highway officers said was the best location and had been chosen so it is far away enough from the roundabout to prevent vehicles backing up but is not too far away to put pedestrians off from using it.

Jesmond ward councillor George Springer expressed concerns on behalf of two residents about the location.

He said it was already “a nightmare” for residents trying to get onto Easington Road in vehicles and feared the crossing will make it worse.

Committee chair, Coun Marjorie James, said: “It should not exacerbate what is already a bad situation for drivers.

“What it will do is give a safe time passage for residents that need to be able to cross that road with or without children.”

Coun Peter Jackson said: “I have seen people waiting for minutes and take their life in their hands trying to cross.”