MOTORISTS are being warned they are putting lives at risk by carrying out illegal U-turns at a newly laid out road junction in Hartlepool.

Hartlepool Borough Council officials are concerned that some drivers are trying to save time by switching from the southbound carriageway of the busy A689 to the northbound carriageway at new traffic lights in Stockton Street, outside Hartlepool College of Further Education.

This is instead of travelling just a few hundred yards more and turning back at the Burn Road roundabout.

The council's road safety officer, Paul Watson, said that signs at the junction warn drivers that U-turns are not allowed at the traffic lights and has said that police had been alerted to the problem.

Mr Watson said: "We have been warned of the danger by the school crossing patroller outside the college, who says the U-turns are becoming increasingly common practice.

"The motorists who are carrying out these dangerous manoeuvres are often heading for the shopping centre car parks beside the A689 northbound carriageway, and the reality is that they are saving mere minutes on their journeys.

"I would urge them to show some common sense and travel on to the roundabout before turning back.

"These U-turns often put drivers in conflict with the green man phase on the pelican crossing on the northbound carriageway, and there is a serious risk that pedestrians could be seriously injured or even killed.

"We don't want a tragedy like that at any time of the year and certainly not at Christmas."

The traffic lights replaced a roundabout at the Park Road/Stockton Street junction and highway chiefs say observations of the new arrangements have shown there is a more balanced flow of traffic, and pedestrians now have the advantage of using a controlled crossing.

The council say there is less conflict between vehicles and pedestrians when motorists abide by the law.

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