Barugh Green: Call for speed restrictions at death crash junction

Two people were killed when several cars collided at Barugh Green crossroads

Residents have called for tougher speed restrictions near a Barnsley crossroads which was the scene of a fatal crash.

A 75-year-old man and an 85-year-old woman died and seven people were injured after several vehicles collided in Barugh Green on Saturday.

Janet Proud, who lives nearby, said improvements were needed and warned of another fatality "if the council doesn't do anything".

Barnsley Council said it could not comment due to the police inquiry.

The crash happened at the junction of Cawthorne Road, Barugh Green Road, Barugh Lane and Higham Common Road.

Sixty-two-year-old Ms Proud, who lives on Higham Common Road, said: "It's always very busy, the roads aren't good enough to take the volume of traffic it gets at peak times.

"We've been complaining about it for years and it just gets worse and worse.

"It needs to be reviewed, but why does a fatality have to happen before anything changes?"

Other residents who spoke to BBC News echoed her concerns but did not wish to be named.

One man described the junction as "an accident waiting to happen".

Flora tributes were left near the scene of the crash in Barugh Green

Some residents said they did not feel safe crossing the road due to cars driving through red lights and speeding.

One woman said: "They just go too fast, it's not just something that's happened now, it's something that's always happening.

"Even when the green man is on you have to be careful. Put some humps on the road and slow them down."

Another local woman said she was "absolutely petrified" to let her young boys play out on the road.

"Personally, I think the lights change too quickly and there's not enough time between one turning red and the opposite going green," she said.

Joint investigation

A Barnsley Council spokesperson said "Our thoughts are with the family, friends and loved ones of those affected by the tragic incident last Saturday, 23 March.

"South Yorkshire Police are carrying out a detailed investigation into the circumstances of the recent collision and their findings will be passed to HM Coroner's Office.

"We're unable to comment on the recent collision until South Yorkshire Police have concluded their investigations and HM Coroner has held an inquest.

"Once the police have concluded their investigation and the coroner has issued their findings then any recommendations will be investigated jointly by the Road Policing Group of South Yorkshire Police and our highways team."