A call for action to be taken over Kirkby Stephen’s South Road has been made following a further car having been “written off” last week.
Fears also exist that traffic congestion on the road will only get worse once work gets under way to upgrade the A66 into a full dual carriageway and motorists start using the A685 through Kirkby Stephen as an alternative route.
Peter Thornton, Westmorland and Furness Council’s portfolio holder for highways and assets, told a meeting of Kirkby Stephen Town Council last Tuesday that it was the view of National Highways that it was “not their job to sort out the chaos they cause”.
“National Highways don’t believe it their responsibility to mitigate the issues that are caused by their reconstructions,” said Mr Thornton.
But he said Westmorland and Furness Council was “open to suggestions” as to what could be done about South Road — which is a notorious hotspot for traffic congestion — despite at present there being “no plans” for the road, which is part of the main route through the centre of the town.
The meeting was told that issues surrounding the road had been discussed at a site visit on Monday.
“We had quite some discussion about yellow lines, parking restrictions etc and how things can be reorganised.
“And my response to all this is what does Kirkby Stephen want us to do? Give us some requests and we will look at them,” said Mr Thornton.
Kirkby Stephen resident Ann Sandell said: “Parking bays, so that you have got gaps for traffic to get into; a 20mph limit; (speed) signs.”
Phil Dew, who is a town and Westmorland and Furness councillor, said: “It is not just about what people want, it is what is statutory and legally possible.”
He said that the compromise which was made was instead of parking bays — for which there is no room — double yellow lines be put in certain sections so that coaches and HGVs can pull in.
“We know the solution is to try and find some alternative place where people can park and we have identified a site, or sites, but there is no money in the pot to do that,” said Mr Dew.
Regarding the car parking idea, Mr Thornton said if there was a “willing seller”, Westmorland and Furness Council could challenge National Highways to help them out on that.
“I am not saying it will be easy. Every time we meet them, I mention Kirkby Stephen to them,” he said.
Mr Dew confirmed that ongoing discussions were taking place with National Highways regarding the A66 upgrade project and necessary mitigations on South Road.
The next meeting of the A66 reference group was on Wednesday, 4th October, and the support of Mr Thornton, as cabinet member for highways, would be appreciated.
A spokesman for National Highways said: “The A685 at Kirkby Stephen is the responsibility of the local authority and not National Highways. While traffic levels may be higher than normal in the area as a knock-on effect from works on the nearby A66 between Warcop and Brough, a signed diversion route is in place for drivers taking them along the A1, A6 and M6 during the hours of 8pm and 6am.
“Any issues surrounding parking and safety on the A685 would be for Westmorland and Furness Council to be made aware of rather than National Highways.”
