For the last four years I have been trying to get action on speed limit changes on the C17 road from Neville’s Cross through Beapark to Ushaw Moor.

The council has finally come up with proposals for a new 40 mph zone to be installed at either end of the village to help to reduce speeds. I am concerned about the start and end points of these newly proposed zones, and have asked that an officer attends the next meeting of Bearpark Parish Council (21st March – 3rd Wednesday of the month.)

You can view the proposals here by clicking on the links below. Residents affected should now have received a letter about the proposals and I am delivering a leaflet to the whole village which mentions the proposed speed limit changes too.

Aldin Grange end – pdf C17 Toll House Road to Bear Park Area 2 A4 Plan

Ushaw Moor end – pdf C17 Toll House Road to Bear Park Area 1 A4 Plan

Please let me know if you have any comments by emailing me or alternatively email the council at northernareatechnicalsupport@durham.gov.uk

The principle behind this is that having a buffer zone which is a 40mph stretch allows reminders along the road and reduces people’s speeds more gradually instead of going straight from 60mph to 30mph. The issue is that at the AldinGrange end, they are proposing to remove the 60mph zone altogether which may reduce the positive impact, however I look forward to seeing responses and listening to officers on this. We also need to consider if the the location of the start and finish points are correct.