Campaigners hope a new attempt to introduce a 30mph speed limit in a Teesdale village will be successful.
There are currently no speed restrictions on the B6277 road through Newbiggin, which links Middleton with Alston.
That means heavy goods vehicles, cars and motorbikes can potentially drive through at speeds of up to 60mph.
With houses close to the road on both sides, limited pavements for pedestrians and a narrow bridge, the situation is an accident waiting to happen, claim concerned residents.
County councillor Richard Bell, who represents upper Teesdale, has written to Durham County Council to demand action.
“I would like to see a 30mph speed limit through Newbiggin, following numerous complaints by residents. The road narrows as you approach from the west with no – or very narrow – footpaths. I would like you to review the situation.”
As well as issues over speed, campaigners are also frustrated that as drivers enter the village, one of the first things they see is a national speed limit sign.
Cllr Bell added: “I’ve asked for three things: one is the review of the speed limit; two is additional ‘SLOW’ markings on the road; three is the removal of the national speed limit signs, which arguably encourage drivers to speed up!
“We hope they’ll put a speed limit in but if they don’t, we will get it one day, we’ll keep pushing, we need to keep persisting.”
Like several other communities in Teesdale, Newbiggin’s previous bids for traffic calming measures have failed, with Durham County Council’s highways department insisting the village doesn’t fulfil the relevant criteria to require a speed limit.
A high volume of holiday traffic uses the road as well as farm and quarry vehicles.
In response to the latest bid for speed restrictions in Newbiggin, Dave Lewin, Durham County Council’s acting head of transport and contract services, told the Mercury: “We appreciate that residents often want lower speed limits and we take these concerns seriously and give them full consideration when we evaluate any changes to speed limits.
“Speed limit changes are undertaken using guidance issued by the Department for Transport, taking into account a number of factors such as the nature of the road and its surroundings, local needs and any collision history. We also work closely with Durham Constabulary when considering any changes.
“The speed limit at this particular location was reviewed in September 2024. This found the existing national speed limit remains appropriate and credible for this location.
“Signs advising of the speed limit are legally required to remain in place when there is street lighting on a road with a higher speed limit than 30mph. However, we will carry out a review of the existing traffic signs and road markings at this location.
“We would also urge all drivers to act responsibly and drive according to the conditions and circumstances on the road, for the safety of themselves, other drivers and pedestrians.”
Cllr Wayne Appleton lives in the village and is a member of Middleton and Newbiggin Parish Council.
He points out that in addition to local traffic, the road attracts high volumes of touring cars and motorbikes.
Cllr Appleton believes it’s only a matter of time before there’s a serious accident unless a speed limit is introduced.
“The road is lethal,” he claimed. “We keep hitting walls and being told ‘there haven’t been any accidents’.
“Well, just because there haven’t been any accidents it doesn’t mean there haven’t been any near misses and potential accidents.
“In the summer I nearly got taken out by a speeding car. I was in my car with my daughter and an Audi flew through village and narrowly missed us.
“On summer Sundays you can hear the motorbikes from High Force, they come through here at frightening speeds – it’s scary.”
