WORK is set to start to improve safety at an accident black spot.
Sunderland City Council is spending £60,000 on the B1284 North Road in Rainton Bridge, which has been a problem spot for a number of years, with motorists skidding off the road at a sharp bend.
In the five years up to April 2012, there had been 10 accidents on the road, which have sparked calls from the community for action to tackle the issue.
Residents have repeated their calls after the latest smash.
Jim Rankin, who has lived in North Road for 30 years, had his garden wall smashed into for the third time.
“The residents of Rainton Bridge don’t want anybody to get killed. They have been, and it will continue,” said Mr Rankin.
A speed camera sign warns drivers to slow down as the stretch of road drops from a 40mph speed limit to 30mph, but residents want to see a camera installed.
Mr Rankin said: “It would seem to me that a deterrent is what we need. A camera would be the ideal solution.
“For the cost of a camera, you could save all of this disruption. What’s the cost of sweeping up? What’s the cost of a fire engine? What’s the cost of police? What’s the cost of an ambulance?
“Traffic engineers need to come and have a look, because there’s a problem here.”
The road carries between 8,000 and 9,000 vehicles on the average weekday – a figure which is likely to increase with the growth of the nearby Rainton Bridge Business Park.
Councillor James Blackburn, the council’s cabinet member for city services, said: “The city council monitors roads across the city for their traffic flows, and if there are safety issues for all users, from drivers to pedestrians.
“The council has consulted residents on a series of proposals to help reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian crossings along North Road.”
The work, which is expected to be completed at Easter, will include enhanced traffic signing, road markings to help improve lane discipline and extra pedestrian crossing points.
Twitter: @SunEchoSteven
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