A BUSY South Tyneside road is earmarked to get new speed signs to help slow down traffic.
Two vehicle-activated signs have been recommended for Marsden Road, in South Shields, to advise motorists to reduce their speed.
In the last three years, four people have been injured on the road, which links Horsley Hill to Harton Village.
However, there were fears for the elderly residents living in the nearby Aged Miners’ Cottages who were often struggling to cross the street.
A report by the council’s corporate director of business and area management, Patrick Meila, will be heard at the East Shields and Whitburn Community Area Forum (CAF) tomorrow night.
It reads: “The new signage has been successfully installed in East Boldon and other school sites throughout the borough and displays to drivers their actual traffic speeds with varying illuminated messages.
“These signs are considered to be a more effective way of informing drivers of actual traffic speeds and are more reliable than the current solar-powered units which flash the speed limit only.”
In December, a traffic flow survey revealed that 85 per cent of vehicles were travelling at 33.8mph on the 30mph road and a school crossing patrol was the only effective way for people to cross safely.
Zebra crossings weren’t able to be installed as residents would lose access to their driveways, while a central reservation was also unsuitable as this would be too difficult for two separate crossing movements to be controlled safely.
Coun Pat Hay, Harton’s Labour representative, says fellow councillors from both her and the Horsley Hill ward, are pleased with the new signs.
She said: “Due to the nature of the road, it made it difficult for measures like traffic lights and zebra crossings to be put in place.
“But we are very happy with the two new signs, hopefully this will help reduce the speed of traffic and make life easier for the elderly residents.”
The CAF meeting will take place at St Gregory’s Church in Borough Road, Harton, from 6pm.
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