Residents warn of road danger in giant former Doncaster pit town with no crossing

It is one of the biggest villages in Doncaster.
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It has several schools, and is growing as land previously occupied by the local colliery is developed.

Yet to residents in Rossington, there is something missing.

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Grange Road in Rossington. Picture Scott MerryleesGrange Road in Rossington. Picture Scott Merrylees
Grange Road in Rossington. Picture Scott Merrylees

Despite a busy main road that now links to the airport link road, there is no pedestrian crossing. And residents fear the roads are getting busier, raising concerns over safety and speeding.

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Rachael Blake, who represents Rossington on Doncaster Council is among those concerned.

She said: “One of the biggest issues is the fact that we’ve not got a crossing anywhere in the village, and given the size of Rossington, I think that’s unusual.

"We have asked a number of times for monitoring to be done to demonstrate the need.

Traffic on West End Lane, RossingtonTraffic on West End Lane, Rossington
Traffic on West End Lane, Rossington

“It can take 25 minutes to cross the road at West End Lane because there’s so much traffic.

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"We get road safety vans on West End Lane a few hours a month to look out for speeding.”

She believes blackspots include the junction of Central Drive and Gattison Lane.

"We are worried that an ongoing issue is that motorists don’t think they’re going to get caught,” she said.

Paul ThompsonPaul Thompson
Paul Thompson

Residents told of their concerns over road safety in the former pit village.

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Retired lorry driver Paul Thompson, from West End Lane feels things have worsened since the completion of Great Yorkshire Way, the link road taking traffic from the M18 to Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Before that was built, West End Lane ended at the colliery.

"I think the problem really started when they had the new road built,” he said. “I think it’s becoming a bit of a rat run.”

A car on its side on Grange Lane, RossingtonA car on its side on Grange Lane, Rossington
A car on its side on Grange Lane, Rossington

“You get people going to the airport taking short cuts. You get heavy goods vehicles coming up and down there. My house fronts West End Lane and you can see the speed some of them go – it’s an accident waiting to happen.”

"I think we need speed bumps or flashing lights along there.

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"There are a lot of things on that street – a village pub, the welfare, Pheasant Bank School. I think it’s concerning particularly when children are going past the school.”

Kirsty Pownall, from Grange Lane, shares the concerns.

Mum of four Kirsty is glad her children do not have to cross the main road to get to school.

"I think on Grange Lane especially, they tend to go faster than they should,” she said. "The speed limit outside the school is 20mph. The main road around Asda and the chemist seem to be blackspots. There seem to be a lot of accidents there.

"There are quite a few schools in the area. There’s Pheasant Bank, St Josephs and Tornedale, and if you go up to the old watertower, Grange Lane Infants. A lot of children walk along Grange Lane. I’d like to see it slowed down.

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"A few weeks ago a child got run over and ended up having to go to hospital.

"It’s not long ago a car ended flipped onto its side along there – I don’t know how.”

She would like to see speed bumps, perhaps similar to those elsewhere in the village at Clay Flat Lane and Radburn Road.

"I worry about my nine-year-old walking to school,” she said. “He may not have to cross the main road, but he still has two roads to cross.

"Maybe a pedestrian crossing would help.”

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Rossington resident and community worker Elaine Spencer sees dangerous quad bikers as another issue in the village.

Elaine, awarded the British Empire Medal in the October honours list, said she encountered riders flouting the highway code twice on recent occasions.

The most recent occasion came as she pulled over on Queen Mary Road to allow another car to pass in the opposite direction. As the car tried to move out again, a quad bike zoomed past her without warning.

On another occasion, she was driving on Radburn Road, when three quad bikes appeared in the opposite direction. One was on the left hand side of the road, one on the right hand side, and a third was on the pavement.

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"These people don’t wear helmets,” she said. “If there is an accident, I feel for them as well.”

A Doncaster Council spokesperson said: “We are concerned to hear of instances of speeding in Rossington.

"The council has provided extensive areas of 20mph speed limits and traffic calming features in many of the residential streets and near the schools. However, road safety is not all about such features, and we would urge all motorists to take personal responsibility for safety very seriously, and drive appropriately to the conditions and within the law at all times.

“In order to give the greatest benefits to communities across Doncaster, safety improvements including pedestrian crossings are prioritised to the areas with the worst problems or highest levels of activity. This situation is regularly reviewed, and particular attention will be given to any emerging patterns appearing in Rossington.”

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Doncaster Central Policing Team Sgt Liam Walters said: “We understand speeding is a concern for residents of Rossington and surrounding villages. Please be assured that my team are working hard to identify problem roads in the area to make them safer for drivers and pedestrians alike

“We regularly conduct speed watch operations which have had a significant impact, but we need the support of residents to help us improve things further. Please report areas of concern to us directly, or via 101. This information is essential when planning where my team will be deployed.

“We will continue to work with partners to target those that pose a risk to our roads.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.