ROAD improvements in Darlington will help the fire brigade cut 50 seconds off response times to incidents in the north of the town.
The work on St Cuthbert's Way ring road in front of the fire station is due to begin next week.
It will create a crossing point with a red flashing light to allow fire engines to turn right out of the station instead of having to turn left and go around the Feethams roundabout.
More than 80 per cent of emergency calls to the fire service are from the north of the town, so the new turning will improve response times.
In addition, the work will improve pedestrian safety, because the central reservation will be widened by about a metre and will be surrounded by a barrier.
Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "We have worked with the emergency services on this scheme and together are improving safety for people in Darlington; for pedestrians and for everyone phoning for help from the fire services."
Geoff Cutting, the fire service's head of service delivery and senior divisional officer, said: "The improvements will enhance fire cover for the north of Darlington and attendance times for fire engines to traffic accidents and fires in the north of the borough."
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