Double mini-roundabout 'causing unnecessary risks'

People living near a double mini-roundabout have described crashes and near misses there, as plans are being made to replace it.

A consultation has started over Westmorland and Furness Council's plans to change the "complicated" junction at Sandgate in Penrith, which the authority said confused motorists and acted as a barrier for pedestrians.

Julian Shaw, 78, said "poor signage and confusion over where drivers should stop had created unnecessary risks", while another resident said he had "witnessed several near misses and an accident at the junction".

However a woman told the BBC she thought the "layout should remain, but clearer road markings and better pedestrian crossings would be good".

The council said it wanted to tackle "long-standing issues" for those walking from the Scaws area into Sandgate and asked people to give their views in the five-week consultation.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "Never liked it, to be fair, people don't know how to use it.

"I've had a few near misses as well. But to have two roundabouts in the same area is crazy really."

Another resident said the council should repaint road markings, install a mirror to improve visibility and add another pedestrian crossing along Benson Row.

And a driver said: "I like it as it is. It's fine.

"It's different, I suppose, so people from away maybe don't like it, but it's always been like that as far as I can remember."

A non-driver who regularly uses the junction welcomed the possibility of changes.

"It's very tough to cross the road because there's so many cars going down," he said.

An event for residents to look at the designs and ask questions will be held at Penrith Library on 14 October.

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