OPTIONS for safety improvements at a junction which was the scene of a fatality earlier this year include its complete closure.

Dolores Mary Hubbert died following the collision at the junction of the A690 at East Rainton, near the Durham/Sunderland county boundary, shortly after mid-day on Friday August 29.

The 81-year-old great-grandmother was at the wheel of a Nissan Micra which was struck by an oncoming Toyota Yaris as she crossed the westbound lane of the Durham to Sunderland dual carriageway to enter East Rainton.

Her car ended on the opposite carriageway and was hit by a further vehicle.

The Great North Air Ambulance attended the scene, but Mrs Hubbert, a retired confectioner, of Ryehill View, East Rainton, was declared dead from her injuries shortly after arrival at Durham’s University Hospital of North Durham.

A recent inquest into her death heard that the Micra, travelling eastbound, pulled across the westbound carriageway so close in front of the oncoming Yaris, that its driver had little opportunity to avoid a collision.

The hearing was told the length of the grass on the central reservation may have affected the range of vision for traffic at the crossing between carriageways.

It was due to be cut in the weeks after the accident.

Following the accident Sunderland City Council highways officers visited the scene to consider potential safety measures at the junction.

Among the options were reducing the speed limit to 50-miles per hour, or even its closure to crossing traffic.

Sunderland coroner Derek Winter, who concluded Mrs Hubbert died as a result of a road traffic collision, said he plans to write to the council to draw attention to the issues.

The council has eight weeks to reply, to include a timetable of proposed actions to prevent further accidents at the junction.

A council spokesman said a scheme of works is already being developed for another junction further along the A690, at Stoneygate, between Houghton-le-Spring and East Herrington.

“The city council is looking at other junctions along this route.

“At the East Rainton junction, consideration is being given to whether a 50mph limit or other changes could be introduced.”

The spokesman said verges are cut three times per year, in May, July into August and October into November.

He added that all highways and verges are monitored should changes be required to the cutting and maintenance schedule.