A mother of two who lives next to an A19 crossing which has seen scores of serious crashes has called for the junction to be closed for good.
Anna Kitching, who lives beside the northbound carriageway of the A19 near Kirby Sigston, Northallerton, has said her family has endured years of “traumatic” scenes of serious and fatal crashes.
The dual carriageway crossing, which is next to the former Haynes Arms pub, sits just beyond the gate of Anna’s house.
Many crashes have taken place at the junction, including in April, when six people were hospitalised following a four-car pile-up.
Anna said that she and her family have been first to the scene on several occasions, helping people left unconscious in vehicles and even dealing with the aftermath of fatal crashes.
This, she said, has put a strain on her family, and has even led to increased anxiety for her teenage daughter, Amelia.
“These crashes on the stretch of road have gone on for years,” said Anna. “It never seems to get any better.
“We are constantly hearing crashes and sirens from emergency vehicles.
“The sound of metal from cars hitting one another is almost numbing – you already know what has happened before you look outside.
“It’s horrendous – people say for us to put our house up for sale – that’s not a solution, it’s just passing off responsibility for the safety of people.”
Amelia has now set up a petition calling for the closure of the Haynes Arms junction, urging local politicians and highways officials to act.
The Kitching family have contacted Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has a house in Kirby Sigston and uses the junction.
Mr Sunak said: “I understand the resident’s concern as I use the junction regularly and a number of local residents have contacted me
“I have been working on the safety of the A19 for a number of years which has resulted in the closure of four gaps between the Black Swan crossroads and the Tontine.
“National Highways are working on designs for the stretch south of Osmotherley and are about to start consultations on proposals for a number of the junctions, including Kirby Sigston.
“I understand a package of improvements are proposed for the junction to improve its safety.”
But Anna is “fed up” with the lack of “immediate action”. “I don’t know how many people have to be injured or die, or how many more people need to be dragged out of cars by my family,” she said.
“My eldest daughter is 17 and driving this year. She is petrified, she doesn’t want to ever drive. Every time we mention her driving she simply breaks down as she is so traumatised from seeing so many fatalities. We seem to be left in limbo over this – and don’t know where else to turn.”
Alongside the existing traffic that uses the road, the mum of two worries that increased traffic from the former Haynes Arms site, which recently got planning permission as a campsite, will see an influx of visitors during the holiday season.
“This road can’t hold any more cars – we dread to think what would happen if hundreds more cars per week travelled on this junction,” she added.
A spokesperson for National Highways said: "Safety is our top priority and we’re exploring options for potential additional safety measures at this junction."
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