PLANS for a relief road around Barnard Castle have taken “a step forward” after proposals to protect land for its potential development were included in latest draft of the County Durham Plan.
The County Durham Plan, which sets out areas for potential development in the county until 2035, also outlines support for a new food retail site in Barnard Castle. Durham County Council said “a single small Morrisons store” meant a “lack of choice” and that many residents were spending their money out of town.
While the relief road itself has not been included in the plan, Durham County Council is proposing to protect the potential route from future development. A “corridor of interest” has been identified.
A map shows it would connect the A688 and A67 with Westwick Road, allowing vehicles to cross the River Tees using Abbey Bridge and then join the A66 eastbound.
Residents have been campaigning for the road, which would help divert HGVs away from the town centre, and this is the first time the possible route has appeared in council strategy.
Council chiefs say the relief road could be used alongside a town centre ban on HGVs, reducing “potential damage to the historic fabric of the town as well as addressing public concerns regarding safety and amenity” .
The road would be dependent on funding from the Department for Transport.
However, Durham County Council says this would be difficult to obtain because the scheme would not have enough impact on traffic.
County councillor Richard Bell said: “In the absence of funding being available in the foreseeable future, the protection of the eastern corridor is as far as Durham County Council can go. The presence of the corridor is positive and I would ask others to support this statement. It means that should funding become available, creation of a relief road will be facilitated.”
County councillor Ted Henderson, a member of Teesdale Action Partnership’s transport and traffic group, said: “I think we are a step closer this time than we were last time.
“I’m not saying within the next two or three years but it is important that the plans for the relief road go in to the plan. If it is not in the plan, it will not happen.”
Campaigner Phil Hunt is part of the Barnard Castle HGV Group, which has also been lobbying for a relief road.
He said: “I’m not surprised that the relief road is not in the plan. It is disappointing, as the case is utterly convincing. However, if they are reserving the route, that is one step forward. I’m pleased they have recognised the logic of linking the A688 and the A67 with the Abbey Bridge. We have made progress but there is still a long way to go.”
Meanwhile, only one major housing development site has been proposed – for 35 homes at the current William Smith site, Grove Works, in Barnard Castle.
A total of 12.24 hectares of land in Teesdale is proposed for employment use including land at Shaw Bank, in Barnard Castle, and the former Randolph Coke Works, in Evenwood.
Shaw Bank would provide space for GlaxoSmithKline to expand or provide a space for suppliers and spin-off businesses.
Land off the B6278 opposite Barnard Castle Golf Club has been pinpointed as suitable for medium and larger wind turbines up to 136m. Most of Teesdale has been highlighted as being suitable for small or small medium turbines up to 40m.
The original County Durham Plan was scrapped in April 2016 following criticism by an inspector. At that point, £850,000 had been spent on it since 2009.
It has now being restarted.
Councillors were asked last week to approve the latest documents ahead of a six-week consultation due to begin later this month. The plan is expected to be completed by summer 2020.
