MORE than 160 people called in to The Witham, in Barnard Castle, last week to view junction proposals for Cross Lanes and Rokeby put forward by Highways England as part of the £1 billion A66 upgrade.
There was a steady stream of people throughout the event. Many people had questions on how the three options would work. They have been developed by Highways England following protests from campaigners who said the original designs would see more traffic flow through Barnard Castle and create two-mile long detours for those heading into town from Rokeby.
Concerns were raised by a dale family, whose organic farm could be left “unviable” if the option preferred by Durham County Council – to create an overbridge at Cross Lanes – is adopted.
John and Judy Hare own the 120-acre Dent House Farm, at Brignall. Their son, Simon, runs the farm and the adjoining tenanted Trees House Farm, converting them both to full organic status.
Mr Hare said: “We would lose 22 acres of good fertile land if they go with that option. We bought the farm in 1983 and we didn’t buy it to sell on.”
The sweeping overbridge option would connect Rutherford Lane and the B6277. A road linking Moorhouse Lane and Cross Lane Organic Farm would cut through the Hare’s farm to give eastbound access onto the A66.
Mrs Hare added: “We stock and breed sheep there. We try to take a crop off the fields and they have good grazing there. If we lose 22 acres it is going to make the farm unviable.”
One Startforth resident also felt there was much room for improvement on the designs, saying there was a viable option with a circular design to Cross Lanes if an unobtrusive access road could be created to link Moorhouse Lane to Rutherford Lane to the south of the A66.
Chris Lynham, from Highways England, said the event was an opportunity to share the work that has been done.
“The drop-in event was an advance opportunity for us to explain the alternative options and how they have been developed.
“We’ll hold statutory consultation for the project later in the year when people will have the chance to give us their views,” he added.
