DURHAM County Council officials spent more than £12,000 installing a “temporary” road hump and purchasing cones for Barnard Castle ahead of non-essential shops reopening in June, figures show.
The social distancing measures, put in place by Durham County Council to ensure there was sufficient space for shoppers to keep their distance, were described as “ludicrous” by business owners and residents at the time.
Following a freedom of information request, the county council has revealed cost of the traffic cones and a Tarmac road hump at a lower Galgate bus stop, totalled £12,129.80.
The hump in Galgate was designed to provide more space so people could walk around people waiting for the bus.
The cones, placed on Market Place and Horsemarket, also to provide additional space for shoppers to socially distance, were removed after a couple of weeks following complaints that they were taking up parking spaces.
The bus stop build-out remains in place, but council officials had stated it will be removed when it is safe to do so.
