HIGHWAYS England has published updated proposals to dual and upgrade the A66.
But county councillor Richard Bell said although highways bosses understand the strength of feeling about plans to re-route more vehicles through Startforth, everyone should still “make their voices heard” .
HGVs driving from Scotch Corner on the A66 will turn off at Rokeby to get to Barnard Castle. But smaller vehicles travelling west on the A66 will use the Cross Lanes junction and travel through Startforth.
Protests have been sounded by the parish council and Cllr Bell who say the road along The Sills and up The Bank is not suitable for a large increase in traffic.
Cllr Bell said: “Along with fellow councillors and Durham County Council staff, I met remotely with Highways England a few days ago, and explained in detail the concerns that their current plans will result in a big increase of traffic through Startforth and across the County Bridge and up The Bank, and that we need full access to the A66 at Rokeby.
“A further meeting is planned in coming weeks and I would encourage all those who will be affected to make their voices heard by the A66 team at Highways England. I feel that they are concerned about how to design a good dual carriageway but not about the local road connections and communities that will be impacted.”
Highways England senior project manager Matt Townsend said: “We know local people are keen to understand the junction designs and layouts better and find out how they can access and travel along the A66. This comprehensive project update delivers on that.”
The £1billion proposals to upgrade the trans-Pennine route,will go to full public consultation in the spring.
Visit www.highwaysengland.co.uk/A66-NTP for detailed maps.
