MP's 'small step forward' on crash-prone junction

An MP has hailed a "small step forward" in making a "dangerous" road junction safer, following the latest in a number of non-fatal crashes.

A man was taken to hospital with "life-altering" injuries on Monday after being hit by a van at the Treeton Lane junction at Aughton, near Rotherham.

The junction has been at the centre of recent discussions about road safety, after seven non-fatal accidents happened at its junction with Pleasley Road between 2019 and 2025.

MP for Rother Valley, Jake Richards, said: "It's not going to solve it overnight, but we've got the council to commit to funding an assessment about what can be done and that's really important."

Rotherham Council previously said there were no plans to make changes due to "limited funding and resources".

Speaking at a meeting with constituents on Friday, the MP said: "This is a long-running issue. The traffic at rush hour and other times of the day is just unbelievable, chock-a-block and quite dangerous.

"There have been accidents and local residents have been calling for something to be done for many, many years."

Richards previously described the site where Treeton Lane and Ulley Lane meet the 60mph (96kmh) Pleasley Road, as "a massive problem" and said he was determined to try to solve the problem after "years of dither and delay".

The MP said he now wanted to hear what people who use the junction wanted to see done to make it safer.

He said: "It's important for me to hear as many views as possible, so that when I speak to the council I make sure that their voice is heard.

"I'm not claiming this is all going to be sorted overnight, but I'm really pleased the council have at least acknowledged there's an issue here and they've put some money aside to have a look at what can be done."

Richards added: "We're going to have a really forensic look at what can be done to make sure this stretch of road is really safe.

"I'm pleased we have made some progress and I've been able to secure this small step forward."

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