Petition calls for action at fatal junction

The latest serious crash claimed the lives of an elderly couple.

The crossroads on the A616 at Crow Edge, north of Sheffield, is the responsibility of Barnsley Council and a petition is now being raised.

Dunford Parish Council, which covers the Crow Edge area, says it has decided to call on the authority to take steps to stop more deaths.

Coun Lindsey Devons said: "It is getting worse. The crossroads is where the B6106 crosses the A616 and it is very, very dangerous. What instigated the petition was when an elderly couple were tragically killed there in May, we just feel that something has to be done to draw attention to the issue.

"The speed limit is 60mph along the A616 and people don't see cars edging out onto the main road until it is too late. It is a very straight road and people do drive fast.

"We are just asking the council to look at anything that could slow down drivers and alert them to the junction like traffic lights, a box junction or a mini-roundabout. There are some give way signs on the B6106, but they are not enough.

"As residents we are used to it but the danger comes when somebody not familiar drives up to it."

The latest fatal accident happened at about 5.30pm on May 6 and involved a black Rover 75 and a black Audi A5. The 76-year-old driver of the Rover and his passenger, a woman, 71, of Mottram, Greater Manchester, were killed. The Audi driver, a 34-year-old man from Halifax, escaped unhurt.

Coun Devons said: "It is becoming commonplace to drive up to the crossroads and see the wreckage of another crash, and of course, there are a lot of accidents we don't get to hear about.

"We have spoken to the council and police a couple of times about it, but it has been suggested that no laws are being broken and not enough people have been killed in accidents.

"But as far as we are concerned it doesn't matter that nobody is breaking the law, people are dying there. It is time for common sense to prevail and it is time something was done."

The petition is available in the Dog and Partridge pub on the A628 Woodhead Pass, the Fox House pub on the B6106, the Hazlehead Hall Farm Shop in Penistone, Millhouse Green Post Office and the Debra Charity Shop in Holmfirth.