HIGHWAYS bosses have confirmed they are exploring options in order to increase safety for motorists and pedestrians following an urgent call for action.
The Thicket Lane junction in Worsbrough Dale was brought up by Coun Jake Lodge at last Thursday’s full council meeting, where it was revealed that the local authority’s highways engineers are looking at what can be done.
According to Coun Lodge, who represents the Worsbrough ward, the junction - particularly its crossroads with High Street and Station Road - has become a ‘well-known’ blackspot due to its higher-than-average collision rate.
“It’s been brought up throughout the years and it’s definitely time that something’s done to improve safety for both pedestrians and motorists,” he told the Chronicle.
“People have complained to me about this for a long time and given the amount of collisions there’s been, it’s imperative that action is now taken.”
The Thicket Lane junction has been the subject of a number of road safety improvements in recent years, with a scheme implemented in 2022 to improve visibility at the junction through new warning signs and road markings.
However, the council admitted that accidents have continued and alternative measures are now being assessed.
Coun James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and highways, said: “Road safety is a key priority for the council.
“A scheme was implemented in 2022 to improve visibility at the junction through new warning signs and road markings.
“These measures were appropriate at the time since there were no recorded personal injury collisions involving pedestrians.
“However, the junction continues to experience vehicle-related personal injury collisions and will be analysed by our traffic and road safety engineers during 2025/26.
“This comprehensive assessment will allow us to identify the root causes of these incidents and implement effective solutions.
“As part of this study, our engineers will also review pedestrian facilities at the junction.
“Currently, the footway widths on both sides of the junction are constrained, making the placement of a formal crossing challenging and potentially away from the current pedestrian desire lines.
“Irrespective of this, we will explore all feasible options to enhance pedestrian safety at the junction.
“Residents can be assured that the safety of pedestrians at Thicket Lane junction remains a priority and we are committed to addressing the issues identified through our investigation and study.”
A total of 508 incidents were recorded on Barnsley’s road network in total in 2023 - the latest year available - with 30.5 per cent deemed serious.
South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership staff are continuing to deliver ‘Vision Zero’ which aims to reduce the amount of serious collisions by 50 per cent in the next five years.
A spokesperson said: “As a result of our commitment to delivering Vision Zero the public can expect to see an extensive programme of community engagement and publicity activity, particularly focused on the main casualty groups including young people aged 17 to 24, in a bid to achieve a shift in attitudes and behaviour towards safer roads use.
“A programme of safer roads engineering schemes and local safety schemes of approximately £1.6m per year will also be delivered, as will more police and camera enforcement of road traffic laws in a bid to tackle poor driver behaviour which can negatively impact on road safety.
“There are some major challenges ahead in road safety which we will have to adapt and respond to in future years.
“All this will need to be managed against a backdrop of reducing public sector funding and the resulting impacts this will have on building, operating and maintaining our road network.
“By adopting positive attitudes and behaviours and sharing the responsibility for road safety outcomes we can make a big difference and prevent the needless pain, grief and suffering associated with each and every road traffic collision.”
