A PERMIT system to outlaw HGVs travelling through Barnard Castle would affect fewer than ten per cent of lorries, according to the results of the latest traffic survey into the problem.
The Barnard Castle HGV Action group is leading calls for the introduction of permits, similar to the scheme which has operated in Kirkby Stephen since 2000, in an effort to cut the number of lorries and protect the town’s ancient structures along with the Abbey Bridge.
Members of the action group, along with dale county councillors, met county highways officials to discuss the results of the most recent survey of HGVs, which was carried out last month.
The data showed that in a ten-hour period, 113 lorries were recorded going over the Abbey Bridge, of which only 11 carried on to Evenwood Gate without stopping in the town.
Dave Wafer, Durham County Council’s strategic traffic manager, said the survey specifically looked at lorries taking longer distance trips.
He said the data backs up the results of earlier surveys.
“This supports previous findings that the majority of lorries in the town centre are serving the local area.
“The recent survey also confirms that a permit system, which would be costly and bureaucratic to administer, would deter less than ten per cent of vehicles.”
Updating members of Barnard Castle Town Council last week, Cllr Judi Sutherland, a member of the HGV action group, queried the results of the latest survey and floated the idea of campaigners carrying out their own study.
“We have not given up on the idea of a permit system,” she said.
“We want to make sure this town is a more pleasant place to spend time.”
Cllr Sutherland said discussions with Mr Wafer about moving the traffic lights on the north side of the Abbey Bridge further up the hill to avoid lorries passing at the road’s narrowest point had been positive.
The county council had previously refused to countenance such a move until the routine maintenance was scheduled for lights in several years’ time, she said.
She added that the possibility of signs warning HGVs to avoid back roads in the town such as Birch Road, Queen Street and Victoria Road had also been sounded out.
Mr Wafer said: “We are currently considering proposals from the HGV action group to move the stop line for the traffic signals 50m to 60m back so that larger vehicles wait in a wider section of the road.
“Whilst this would make it easier for large vehicles to pass, it would increase delays for all other traffic.”
He added: “For streets such as Birch Road, Queen Street and Victoria Road we have agreed to introduce signs to warn motorists that the route is unsuitable for larger vehicles, hopefully deterring them.”
