Kinninvie crossroad new safety measures 'inadequate'

Christian Dean and his family, who live in a house at the Kinninvie Crossroads near Barnard Castle, have been left traumatised and frightened after a car smashed into their dining room.

A Volvo veered off the 60mph B6297 on February 8, just 45 minutes after he had been eating lunch with his wife and daughter, and destroyed the room.

Read more: Car hits house after crash on B6279 at Kinninvie, near Barnard Castle

The crossroads with temporary traffic lights in October 2023. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

After calls for safety improvements at the crossroads that at one point included suggestions of closing the northbound C140 section of the road altogether, Durham County Council last month announced a package of improvements that they say garnered "very positive" feedback.

A new vehicle-activated warning sign and new giveway signs with stop signs on the northbound approach to the crossroads at Kinninvie are set to be installed by the end of the year.

Dave Lewin, Durham County Council’s strategic traffic manager, previously said: "We’ve shared details of these planned improvements with a number of residents who have been in touch with us, as well as Marwood Parish Council, and their responses have been very positive."

However, Christian said neither he nor his family were approached by the council to discuss any new measures and instead read the news online.

Christian said: "To hear online from a newspaper article that they are basically exchanging the signs for other signs is in no way reassuring that they are taking the problem seriously.

The Kinninvie crossroads crash in February, 2023. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

"The bit for us, without a doubt is that if we had all still been in that room we would be dead. I cannot get away from the terrifying reality of that."

For Christian and his family, the crash has taken a severe toll on their mental health as they claim they will be "terrified" because a stop sign "isn't going to cut it".

“In terms of anxiety, the slightest noise wakes us up in the night. Sleeping is just not the same,” he added.

“Now they have said all they're going to do is replace the signs, we keep re-visiting the idea that our whole family could have been killed had we been eating at that time.

"I would love to know which residents David Lewin has spoken to because he hasn't spoken to us.

"Why hasn't he spoken to the only people who were affected in this crash? We are the only people in the firing line if the changes he proposes are not sufficient."

Since the accident, which was caught on CCTV by a neighbour, temporary traffic lights were installed in an attempt to rule out the chance of any further collisions.

Christian Dean at his home after the crash. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Christian believes permanent traffic lights or a speed limit reduction would be the best solution.

He said: “Whilst the lights have been here, it's worked. I know people see temporary lights and the house repaired, they don't see a problem.

"But from a residents’ point of view, whilst these lights have been here we have had no problems. The traffic is calmer and it has stopped incidents at the new crossroads because it's breaking up traffic."

He added: "If the crash had taken place at 40mph or 30mph the driver would not have come through the wall. Had he been travelling slower, there would have just been an argument about whose fault it was.

The crossroads with temporary traffic lights in October 2023. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

"I also wouldn't have been outside looking at a car buried in my house. I cannot erase that image, both before and after the car was removed - it was horrifying."

As work to install the signs and new measures by the council is soon set to begin, Christian said feels "betrayed" by the council.

Read next:

• Kinninvie crossroads: 'Draconian' plans put on hold
• Safety measures to be put in place at B6297 Kinninvie crossroads
• Video of crash at B6279 Kinninvie crossroads , near Barnard Castle

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The crossroads with temporary traffic lights in October 2023. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

He said: “It feels like our lives just don't matter, it's just another statistic.

“It's like they have said we will put up another sign and can sign off saying we've done something.

“They have come up with a solution that is so woefully inadequate - it's like a joke.”

Durham County Council were approached for comment following the interview with Christian Dean.

Dave Lewin, Durham County Council’s strategic traffic manager, said: “The measures we’re putting in place at Kinninvie crossroads were drawn up following a public meeting with local residents and Marwood Parish Council, as well as discussions with the police.

“Though we consider them to be suitable and proportionate, we will be monitoring this location, and we would be happy to meet with Mr Dean to discuss this further.”