EXCLUSIVE: Doncaster accident black spot where eight teens died is STILL one of area's most dangerous roads

An accident black spot where eight teenagers died in horror crashes several years ago is STILL among South Yorkshire's most dangerous roads despite the introduction of traffic calming measures.T
Dr Alan Billings.Dr Alan Billings.
Dr Alan Billings.

Five teenagers were killed in a horror smash in November 2014 just three years after a trio of town teens also died in a collision on part of the A630 where Doncaster Road turns into Sheffield Road in Conisbrough.

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Caroline Flint MP.Caroline Flint MP.
Caroline Flint MP.

Inquests into their deaths heard that they were likely travelling above the then speed limit of 60mph in both cases and a road safety campaign, spearheaded by the Free Press, successfully campaigned for the speed limit to be reduced to 40mph.

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But despite the safety measures, we can today reveal that both roads still rank among the most dangerous highways in South Yorkshire.

A freedom of information request to South Yorkshire Police showed Doncaster Road had the joint highest number of road traffic collisions in the area with seven in the year to March 2018, while Sheffield Road, with four incidents, was the fourth highest.

The statistics have prompted an MP, police chief and road safety charity to call for road safety measures to be looked at again at the site.

Lo to r- Antonia Browne, aged 14, Michael Gallagher, aged 16 and Tom Hughes, aged 15.Lo to r- Antonia Browne, aged 14, Michael Gallagher, aged 16 and Tom Hughes, aged 15.
Lo to r- Antonia Browne, aged 14, Michael Gallagher, aged 16 and Tom Hughes, aged 15.

Don Valley MP Caroline Flint, who campaigned for safety measures alongside the Free Press, said: "The figures revealed by the Free Press show that the boroughs A roads are our most dangerous roads, often single lane but with 60mph national speed limits.

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“The borough needs to review the danger spots on each of these roads, in the way they did with the A60 some years ago, which improved road safety between Wadworth and Tickhill.

“We need a new approach to speed limits in villages and outlying areas that give communities more control of the speed limits in their neighbourhoods.”

The scene of the crash where five teenagers died.The scene of the crash where five teenagers died.
The scene of the crash where five teenagers died.

Dr Alan Billings, police and crime commissioner for South Yorkshire, said he "welcomes any measures that could lead to motorists reducing speed" and added: "I have spent time this week with a police family liaison officer whose task is to work with those who suffer bereavement as a result of road traffic collisions. They perform an invaluable service for people in the most difficult of circumstances. But I would far sooner they didn't have to do this in the first place.”

A spokesperson for road safety charity Brake said: “Shockingly, 40 per cent of all road deaths in Britain happen on rural roads, single carriageway roads with a national default 60mph limit, and the cause is often speed-related.

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"The Government must act to put a halt to this carnage through a reduction of the national default limit on these types of roads to 50mph."

Doncaster youngsters Arpad Kore, aged 18, Bartsoz Bortniczak, aged 18 and 16-year-olds Blake Cairns, Jordanna Goodwin and Megan Storey all died when the car they were travelling in crashed into another in November 2014.

Crash victims Jordanna Goodwin, Blake Cairns, Megan Storey, Arpad Kore and Bartosz BortniczakCrash victims Jordanna Goodwin, Blake Cairns, Megan Storey, Arpad Kore and Bartosz Bortniczak
Crash victims Jordanna Goodwin, Blake Cairns, Megan Storey, Arpad Kore and Bartosz Bortniczak

An inquest heard the car was travelling at about 73mph in a 60pmh limit when it skidded into another vehicle.

The tragedy happened just 100 metres or so from the scene where Michael Gallagher, aged 16, Tom Hughes, aged 15, and Antonia Brown, aged 14, all of Doncaster, died when the car they were travelling in hit a tree in 2011.

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An inquest heard the car, driven by Michael, could have been going at 74mph at least.

Despite the call for action, Doncaster Council ruled out reviewing traffic calming measures at the site as improvements have already been made.

Peter Dale, director for regeneration and environment at the authority, said: “Following a joint review with South Yorkshire Police of the safety of Doncaster Road/Sheffield Road in Conisborough, road safety measures were implemented which included a reduction in speed limits and the provision of signing and road marking enhancements.

"These included the extension of central hatching and an electronic vehicle actuated sign. These measures have helped to reduce collisions and manage speeds.

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“However, road safety is not all about making changes to the road environment, and we would urge all motorists to drive responsibly, appropriately to the conditions and within the law at all times.”

Acting Inspector Lee Beck, of South Yorkshire Police's operational support unit, said after every fatal collision officers investigate factors such as speed limits, road layout and street lighting. Any issues are then raised with the coroner and relevant highways agency.