COUNTY officials have made a u-turn on their decision to install a memorial seat on a busy stretch of road on the grounds of safety.
Angie Johnson, of Toft Hill, has been told by Durham County Council that a public seat in memory of her son on the A688 between West Auckland and Evenwood Gate will no longer be allowed.
Officials say it would be an additional “hazard” and “distraction” to road users.
17-year-old Jed Johnson, from Toft Hill, was killed when the vehicle he was driving collided with a tree on the A688 on February 28, 2014. Following his death, friends and family named the tree “Jed’s tree” and have since laid tributes there in his memory.
Ms Johnson was prepared to pay for a seat which would be installed at the spot where her son died and was told only last month that she would be allowed to choose a design which would be supplied by Durham County Council.
Despite being told she was waiting on a final price, she received an email on May 1 informing her that the idea was no longer possible. This was due to another accident which happened on April 28 near to where Jed died.
Ms Johnson said: “I can’t understand why they gave me all the paperwork to choose a seat and now they are saying I can’t have it.
“The seat would be set back. It is a blindspot so you would not see it. I know there has been another accident but it was not at that tree.
“The seat would not just be for Jed. It would be to remember other people who have died there too.” Ms Johnson was told that the county council was “reluctant” to install a seat in a location where accidents are happening.
The possible consequences of anyone using the seat if there was another collision at the same location were also taken into consideration, the council said.
Durham County Council’s head of direct services, John Reed, said: “We sympathise with the family’s wish to put up a memorial seat. However, our priority must be ensuring this stretch of road is as safe as it can be for all who use it.
“In light of the recent accidents and a full risk assessment, we are unable to agree to a seat in this location but we are very happy to work with the family to find an alternative safe site.”
Durham Police declined to comment on the matter.
