AN attempt to reduce the speed restriction on a stretch of Teesdale’s most dangerous road to 20mph has been thwarted.
Barnard Castle Town Council objected to county council officers’ plans to bring in new safety measures on the A67 through Startforth, saying the measures “did no go far enough”.
Durham County Council’s highways committee heard on Thursday, July 5, that the current 30mph zone is to be extended and two new islands be built to slow traffic.
Traffic manager Dave Wafer told the committee the improvements were needed because the road is among the 50 most dangerous in England. Cash for the improvements was made available by the Government.
He said: “As part of this overarching road safety project being developed for the A67, it is proposed to create 30mph and 40mph gateway features on the A67 at Startforth. The gateway features will ensure that the signage is more conspicuous and more visible to motorists with the aim of reducing speeds on the A67.”
While Startforth Parish Council supported the measures, neighbouring Barnard Castle Town Council wanted more to be done and objected to the improvements. The council asked that the proposed 30mph zone be reduced to 20mph and the 40mph zone be reduced to 30mph.
Town councillors also wanted the speed restriction to be extended further along the road. Deputy mayor Cllr John Blissett said: ”The stretch of road we are talking about is an extremely fast road with traffic coming from the Bowes direction being the most critical. It is one of the main link roads to Cumbria and also a relief system if things go wrong on the A66.
“I know full well that residents of Startforth Park have been calling for a speed reduction in the area and have gone to the extent of getting a cut-out policeman to get motorists to slow down.”
He added that new housing developments in the vicinity meant there were now more junctions along the road, making it even more dangerous. However, highways committee member and county councillor for Barnard Castle East James Rowlandson said the area is semi-rural and a lower speed restriction would do little to make drivers slow down.
County councillor Richard Bell also supported the measures suggested by highways officers.
The committee voted unanimously in favour of the proposals.
