Durham road closed over safety concerns

A road is to be closed temporarily after safety concerns were raised about an increase in traffic through two County Durham communities.

The A688 junction with Leeman’s Lane, to the East of Thinford roundabout, will be shut for the remainder of road widening works on the A688 Thinford Lane, east of the roundabout.

Safety concerns had been expressed to Durham Council about an increase in traffic due to the closure of a stretch of the A688 East of the roundabout during road widening works.

Leeman’s Lane is very narrow with limited passing places and is not suitable for large volumes of traffic.

A vast majority of those responding to a consultation were in favour of closing the A688 junction with Leeman’s Lane for the remainder of the road widening works.

An impassable barrier will be in place fromMonday 30 January until the works are complete, with them expected to take a further ten weeks.

A diversion route will be in place and signs put up to advise motorists of the closure.

The widening work is designed to reduce waiting times at the roundabout.