CAMPAIGNERS are calling for a public inquiry into the proposed layout of the A66 Rokeby junction after claiming what is planned will cause traffic chaos in Startforth and lead to increased congestion at the County Bridge between the village and Barnard Castle.
Officials at National Highways have opted for proposals which critics claim will force traffic which currently enters Barnard Castle via the Egglestone Abbey bridge off the A66 at Cross Lanes and into the town through Startforth.
An alternative layout at Rokeby junction, which was backed by residents and would have maintained the status quo, has been discounted because it crosses a field designated as parkland by Historic England.
Barnard Castle town councillor, Cllr Laura Drew said National Highways’ proposals would lead to “three times as much traffic down The Sills” (in Startforth) and “disrupt the balance of traffic from the three junctions (Rokeby, Cross Lanes and Bowes) coming into Barney.”
She added: “We objected on a number of grounds, not least of which is the danger of traffic on The Sills. People tend to speed along there even though it is narrow with blind bends.
“There is also the potential for congestion with the weight of traffic coming across the County Bridge.”
National Highways announced its proposals during an online meeting with the A66 liaison group last week.
Cllr Drew said: “They have gone against local opinion.”
She added that the reason given was that the residents’ preferred route could be challenged unless there was evidence to back the local opinion. Cllr Drew said: “In my opinion we gave them the evidence. It was an incredibly detailed piece of work that we undertook.”
She added that they also proved National Highways proposal was in conflict with the National Planning Policy Framework.
Barnard Castle West county councillor Richard Bell is now urging people to object at the next stage of the process.
He said: “This is very disappointing but not surprising perhaps given that National Highways have been giving Historic England’s views so much weight.
“The next step is for them to apply for a development consent order, which is like planning permission, and we need people to object so that the decision gets taken to a public enquiry where the decision will eventually be taken by a planning inspector.”
Lee Hillyard, National Highways’ A66 trans-Pennine project director said: “We understand the strength of local feeling but due to historic policy constraints in this area we believe we have chosen the right option.
“Our assessment remains that the [residents’ preferred] option will harm the grade II registered park and garden and will lead to fragmentation of the site, a view shared by the government’s statutory advisor on heritage matters, Historic England.
“Policy dictates that if we promoted that option, the Secretary of State must refuse consent unless it can be shown to be necessary to deliver substantial public benefit.
“Because those benefits can be delivered by an alternative and measurably less harmful option, it would be very difficult to justify putting forward the route.
“We will continue to work with local residents and organisations to understand any remaining concerns.”
