Junction safety changes planned after teen's death

Improving the safety of a junction in North Yorkshire where a 16-year-old girl died in a crash "couldn't be more important", an MP has said.

Eleanor Hague, a pupil at the nearby Tadcaster Grammar School, was one of nine passengers on a minibus which collided with a car at the junction of Rudgate and Toulston Lane on 1 December.

Another teenage girl who was seriously injured has been released from hospital but will need ongoing treatment, North Yorkshire Police said.

Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Wetherby and Easingwold's MP, said he had met with North Yorkshire Council officials to discuss safety improvements at the location.

The Conservative MP said several potential alterations were "in the mix" following concerns that Rudgate drivers did not realise the road intersected with Toulston Lane.

"The devastation has ripped through the community of Tadcaster, especially amongst young people," he said.

"There is actually quite a lot of signage at that junction, but there's concern that maybe you get drawn into signage which is on the other side of the carriageway.

"Are there things that could be done to the road surface that may highlight that you're coming up to a junction?"

Sir Alec said they would not "rush into a decision" but that plans from council officials were expected in the new year.

"So many people have been touched by this and therefore we must make sure that this never happens again," he added.

North Yorkshire Police previously confirmed that all nine passengers on the minibus were students at Tadcaster Grammar School and Sherburn High, which share a sixth form.

The bus was travelling towards Sherburn when the crash happened at about 12:30 GMT, approximately half a mile from Tadcaster Grammar School.

The minibus driver and the remaining seven passengers were treated in hospital for minor injuries.

The driver of a Hyundai i10 car, a 40-year-old woman from Leeds, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was later released on bail.

Tributes left at the scene of the crash described Eleanor, known as Ellie and from Sherburn in Elmet, as a "shining star" who "brought warmth to any room you were in".

Kirsty Poskitt, independent councillor for Tadcaster on North Yorkshire Council, said "so many" people had contacted her with concerns about the junction.

In a Facebook post, she said: "Whilst I fully appreciate that it should never take such a terrible loss before change happens, those local voices will hopefully help lead to changes."

A further meeting would take place at the crash site early in the new year, including representatives from Tadcaster Grammar School and the local area.

Initial investigations discovered that navigation tools such as Google Maps were not "properly showing who had the right of way" at the location, the MP said.

"We wrote to Google and they got back to us in a very short space of time and said that they had made sure that their maps did show who had the right of way."

According to Google, an internal investigation found that information about signage and routes was correct in the area.

However, BBC News understands that settings have been adjusted so drivers near the school are given clearer instructions about right of way.

The day after the crash happened, people living near the site raised concerns about the junction.

"It's happened before, we've had quite a lot of accidents up at this crossroads," said one woman, who did not want to be named.

"It needs a stop sign up, not a give way sign. When you go up [Rudgate] it looks like the road goes straight on, you can't see the actual junction."

Andrew Howden, a local farmer and builder, said: "How many more people have to be injured and lose their lives over it?

"It's heart-wrenching. I've grandchildren and we have family up and down here all day. You're forever wondering if it's one of your own that's involved."

Karl Battersby, North Yorkshire Council's corporate director of environment, said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this difficult time.

"We carried out a fatal collision inspection alongside North Yorkshire Police on 10 December and, early in the new year, we will be meeting the school and community representatives to listen to their views and experiences before we finalise any proposals.

"We are committed to doing all we can to reduce the likelihood of any further incidents at this junction."

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