A VEHICLE has smashed into a historic dale bridge, prompting fresh concerns from residents about dangerous traffic in their village.
On Saturday, August 17, a number of large stones were knocked off Winston Bridge (pictured above). It is not known at this stage if this was a hit-and-run incident but Durham County Council says the bridge will take weeks to repair. Resident Jodie Harrison said: “It must have been hit by a very large vehicle. On Monday, August 19, my father reported this to Durham County Council, as nothing had been done.
“They stated someone would be out – two men came out late that day and still nothing has been done, my father then received an email today (Wednesday, August 21) stating: ‘An investigation has been carried out and on this occasion your report is not considered to be hazardous, dangerous or essential maintenance. Therefore, no immediate work is planned. We will keep a record of this for potential inclusion in a future scheme’.”
The grade II-listed Winston bridge was built in 1764 and at the time was considered to be the longest single span bridge in Europe. It was made famous when a Second World War Spitfire was flown underneath in 1988 for a TV drama.
Ms Harrison said last week’s damage has demonstrated the problem villagers face.
She said: “We have been trying to get a 30mph limit put through Winston Gate because of the high amount of HGV and tractors coming past at high speed. We were told that this was not possible as there have not been any fatal accidents on this road but there has been at least two in the last 30 years and several more accidents. I was hit by a vehicle back in 2017 while seven months pregnant, and now have my 21-month-old son living at our address.
“It is very worrying as there are several grandchildren in the hamlet.”
Brian Buckley, Durham County Council’s strategic highways manager, said: “We received a report of damage to Winston Bridge and attended the site on Monday.
“Five coping stones from the parapet wall had been dislodged and damaged but the structure was assessed to be safe. We have fenced off a section of footpath in the interests of public safety although the road remains open.
“We have ordered replacements for the damaged stones. However, the bridge’s grade II-listed status means we have to use a suitable replacement stone, delivery of which can take several weeks. We will carry out all repairs as soon as we can once we have received the replacements.”
