Objection to new bicycle racks for Barnard Castle

Barnard Castle Town Council has rejected an attempt by Durham County Council to install new bicycle racks in the town.

The council’s service committee heard on Monday, July 28, that county officers had wanted to remove two large floral display tubs at Marshall Street so that the bicycle racks could be installed.

A report to the committee said: “This has not been agreed as evidence of the need for further bicycle racks should be supplied and where was the consultation?”

However, the committee did agree to allow BT permission to reduce the crown of a tree on Bede Kirk.

The report said the height of the tree was obstructing a radio link between Barnard Castle and Cotherstone exchanges. It added that the work would be carried out by tree surgeons at BT’s expense.

The report also said summer planting of the floral display had been carried out by One3One contractors and regular watering is taking place.

It said: “Due to exceptional weather additional watering is taking place.”

The committee also considered a request by a member of the National Council for Metal Detecting to carry out some detecting on the Lower Demesnes.