A CROSSING on the A19 near Hutton Rudby could be closed, following a recent fatal crash and other serious accidents over the years.

The Black Swan crossing requires commuters and farmers to negotiate four lanes of high-speed traffic.

Many say it is simply too dangerous and that the central reservation should be closed. They feel this arrangement, combined with allegedly complex road markings, makes for particularly serious crashes.

The Black Swan crossing is used by vehicles from Hutton Rudby, Potto, Swainby and the Rountons. But slow-moving vehicles have to filter into traffic travelling at 70mph or more.

Police favour a closure and Hutton Rudby councillors are planning talks with local representatives and Highways Agency officials. They have suggested a bridge should be built, like those at Crathorne and the Cleveland Tontine.

Speaking at the latest Rudby Parish Council meeting, WPC Helen Kay, of Stokesley police, said: "The force's traffic team is looking at negotiating with the Highways Agency about closing the crossing."

Coun Caroline Seymour said: "In the past, there have been some changes at the junction, but not the changes we really wanted."

She said Hambleton Council held a meeting about the Black Swan junction just before the latest accident. "I think it would also be happy to come to one of our meetings and look at the possibility of closing the central reservation.

"A survey is to be carried out, looking at the A19 between Crathorne and the Tontine. This will consider the knock-on effects of closure on that whole stretch of dual carriageway.

"I think we would need to lobby for a bridge for farmers. The sooner we lobby, the more likely it is that something will be done."

Parish chairman Coun Judith Follows added: "We need something to slow traffic down. One problem is the situation where slow-moving farm vehicles have to go across four lanes of A19 traffic."

Coun Ian Grieve said Hambleton Council was also holding a seminar on the whole A19 road system.

"The rate of accidents is low but the severity is high, because of traffic speeds. The road markings are extremely confusing. This was a key issue highlighted by a witness at the last accident.

"Closure of the central reservation is not an option in itself. There needs to be lots of alterations. I understand planning and highways officers want to separate traffic into different types or grades. My concern is that this will affect a lot of communities on both sides of the A19."

Councillors decided to contact residents and farmers before meeting the highways officials in July. They thought a second meeting could then be held, to consider the detailed specifications of different options.