Parish Councillors are acutely aware of concerns regarding the A695 through Riding Mill both in terms of traffic speed, volumes and the poor and deteriorating road surface. We are grateful to residents for highlighting those concerns in regular correspondence with us.
In light of this, Councillors hosted the former Head of Northumberland Council’s Transport department and colleagues for a walk through the village in November following lobbying by our County Councillor, Nick Oliver; had a new speed survey done; and, bid through the 3-year Local Transport Plan for a package of mitigating measures based on that visit.
Unfortunately it became apparent early in this process that Northumberland Council would not agree to a reduction in the speed limit through the village or any sort of physical method of traffic calming on the basis that the road does not meet the relevant criterias for such measures, in part because of its status as an A road. The speed survey did not show a significant speeding problem.
Our bid for a package of measures to improve the A695 through the Local Transport Plan has however been partially successful. The road surface through the village will be renewed, but not until 2028. We hope to use that opportunity to renew road markings including double white lines at both ends of the village to line up with the 30 mph signs. Red lines across the road in the immediate run up to the village at both ends has recently been done. And Nick Oliver is pushing for a visit by a highways design engineer to see what might be possible using some centrally held funds to supplement this.
Given our ongoing concerns, Councillors will continue to look for opportunities to improve matters should they arise. And residents can help by continuing to submit defects to FixMyStreet.
Andrew Ayre, Parish Councillor