A688 West Auckland Bypass

Current Position

Advance works were carried out between August 2005 and February 2006. Work on the main scheme started on 14 August 2006 and the road was formally opened to traffic on the 29 June 2007.

Estimated Final Cost

£8.0 M

The scheme is funded via the 5-year Local Transport Plan, subject to obtaining the necessary statutory approvals.

Reasons for Doing the Scheme

• To provide a further improved link in the A688 Primary Route on the Strategic Road Network, between the rural areas in the west and the centre of the County.
• To provide a bypass of West Auckland (which is a designated conservation area), St Helens and Tindale Crescent thereby improving road safety and the environment for residents.
• To improve access to existing and proposed industrial development.

Brief Description of the Scheme

The scheme consists of a 7.3m wide single carriageway, approximately 2.4 kilometres in length, connecting the western end of Stage 1 of the scheme, south of St Helen Industrial Estate, with the A688 south-west of West Auckland (near to Oakley Service Station). The road also intersects the A68 between Klickem Gables and Hummerbeck Bridge. The first stage of the bypass (completed in October 1998) provided access to an area of land which is proposed as a new ground for Bishop Auckland Football Club.

A number of public footpaths and bridleways are crossed by the route and these have generally been diverted to safe crossing points at the various roundabouts and bridges. A path has also been provided throughout the length of the scheme for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders in order to improve local links to the Rights of Way network. Cyclists travelling on the A688 are, however, encouraged to remain on the existing road, where much of the route through the built up area has provision for cyclists within the existing carriageway.

A landscape planting scheme throughout the length of the new road has been completed and street lighting has been installed at roundabout locations only. Existing public transport arrangements are likely to be largely unaffected by the scheme proposals.

The following map shows the A688 West Auckland Bypass. Please click on the image below to see an enlarged version of the plan:

Please note the larger image may take a short time to download due to the increased file size (40 kb). Please use your browser 'Back' button to return to this page.

This map is reproduced from the Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of her Majesty’s Stationery Office Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Durham County Council, 076589, 2006.

You can download a higher quality plan below.You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this information.

Plan of scheme (1 page 1,299kb)