Resident frustrated on Kirby Sigston A19 junction issue

Anna Kitching, who lives alongside the A19 junction at Kirby Sigston, near Northallerton, has faced years of having to witness deaths and serious injuries - sometimes as the first person to the scene of the accident. 

The junction, next to the former Haynes Arms pub, sits just beyond the gate of Anna's house and is known in the area for its dangerous nature, due to anyone turning out of it having to do so onto a 70mph carriageway.

Anna Kitching (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Those turning from the southbound carriageway into the junction must cross four traffic lanes.

Over the years, Anna and her family have been left traumatised and frustrated by the dangers that lie on the A19 - including Anna's teenage daughter, Amelia, having to see dead bodies, which has led to her being diagnosed with PTSD.

As part of plans to make the A19 safer, National Highways have set up a fresh set of roadworks in an attempt to close five junctions between Tontine and the Black Swan Overbridge, but Anna is frustrated that the Kirby Sigston junction isn't one of them. 

She said: "Just last week, there was a crash near us - we heard it and saw the aftermath of it - it's traumatising. 

The A19 next to Anna's house (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

"The safe thing to do would be to close this stretch of road, and this would prevent the fatal collisions.

"We've been through a lot as a family - our daughter is traumatised. She has started to drive, but she doesn't want to because of the things she has seen."

As part of Anna's ongoing campaign to close the road, she has set up a petition - which is looking to close the Kirby Sigston junction, which has seen hundreds of people sign it. 

The mum of two has also been in contact with Rishi Sunak MP over the issue - and wants the MP to take action and back her campaign. 

Anna next to the junction (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

In response, Mr Sunak said that he had previously been contacted by several residents about the Kirby Sigston junction and that he has also been in contact with National Highways - and that the junction would undergo safety measures moving forward.

He said: “I have been working on the safety of the A19 for several years which has resulted in the closure of four gaps between the Black Swan crossroads and the Tontine.

“National Highways have now drawn up proposals for the road south of Osmotherley and safety improvements at the Kirby Sigston junction include better signage, road markings and barriers."

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Moving forward, questions about whether the closure of the Kirby Sigston junction would be a positive thing have been raised - with Thimbleby councillor Mike Read branding the road "dangerous" but admitting that it would be difficult to close the part of the road. 

He said: "It's a difficult thing - lots of people are against the closure of the junction - but it's a very dangerous stretch of road. 

"If the closure moves forward, it's going to mean long journeys for drivers who live in Kirby Sigston and beyond.

"I don't know what can be done to make it safer - I don't think it will be closed for a long time. I sympathise with the resident but know it will be difficult to close off the A19 junction completely."

Alongside MP and council intervention, National Highways have said that they are committed to improving the A19 junctions - and have begun closing several central reservations and junctions.

This includes safety improvements to each of the central reserve gaps on the A19 between Tontine and Black Swan Overbridge, which included the permanent closure of five gaps. 

This month, the agency has begun delivering safety improvements to each of the central reserve gaps on the A19 between Knayton and Ellerbeck.

This work will see a range of improvements delivered at each gap including central reserve barrier improvements, new signing and clearer road markings.

They are also proposing to permanently close some of the gaps that are rarely used, and these will be subject to public consultation.

Mark Conlon, National Highways Assistant Project Manager, said: “Safety is National Highways’ number one priority and we constantly monitor the performance of our road network from both a safety and congestion perspective.

“We’ve introduced several safety improvements on the A19 and remain in touch with Anna Kitching regarding her concerns about the Kirby Sigston junction.

“We will continue to keep this junction and this section of the A19 under review and share updates on our work in this area, taking on board any further safety concerns raised.”