DRAINAGE issues that could be linked to work carried out by contractors a year ago have become “dangerous” for motorists.
Highways bosses are to be asked to investigate drains at Laneside on the B6282 at the entrance to Middleton-in-Teesdale after reports of excessive flooding across the carriageway following the recent wintry weather.
Members of Middleton-in-Teesdale and Newbiggin Parish Council agreed to request Durham County Council’s highways department look into the situation after reports that water flowing down the road had caused sheet ice.
Cllr Nickie Hough said a work colleague at Technimark had commented on the state of the road when using it at night in the recent sub-zero weather conditions.
She added: “Quite a few people have said the ice has hit the bottom of their cars and it is obviously doing some damage.”
Cllr Lynne Oxby said: “That bit of road has always been difficult when there is a lot of rain or snow coming down.”
Cllr Kevin Tallentire added: “There was a massive puddle and it is becoming quite dangerous.”
Early last year contractors carried out repair work to the verge adjacent to the B6282. Complaints were forwarded to highways bosses about the state the verges had been left in with rubble and debris strewn about.
Although Durham County Council assured members remedial work would be carried out, it has yet to be done. Members queried if the use of heavy machinery could have damaged the drains in some way.
Cllr Andy Mitchell said: “There was a local farmer who did imply that it [flooding] has become worse since the work on the verge was carried out.”
Cllr John Miller said: “There was an awful lot of debris because of the weather but also stuff that wasn’t there because of the weather. We took a video of the water coming up from California Row and back down and I propose we send it into Durham County Council to sort something about the drainage works and it is right this time.”
Chairman Cllr Ian Cartwright said: “In my limited experience it does seem like it is worse.
“The water was flowing down the verge and down the road but if it is connected, I don’t know. It could be two separate things but it is worth investigating as if it were one.
“We should copy in the county councillors now because this has dragged on a bit now.”
The clerk will contact Durham County Council highways department and will forward video evidence of the flooding.
