A688 Wheatley Hill to Bowburn Link
Current Position
Work commenced on site in mid May 2007 and is programmed for completion in August 2008.
Estimated Cost
£11.43MReasons for Doing the Scheme
- To assist in the regeneration and revitalisation of the East Durham economy, subsequent to mining closures, by providing effective road access to the regional freight interchange facility.
- The removal of a substantial volume of heavy goods vehicles from unsuitable local roads in residential areas, thereby improving road safety and environmental conditions.
- To promote the use of rail for freight transport (Network Rail are considering a site south west of Bowburn for a freight handling facility. The scheme would improve road links to the site.
Brief Description of the Scheme
The scheme consists of the construction of approximately 2.3 kilometres of single carriageway road (7.3 metres wide) connecting a proposed roundabout on the B6291 (formerly the A177) just south of the A1(M) Bowburn Motorway Interchange, with another roundabout to be constructed at Cassop Moor to link with the C12a and the Unclassified 27.10. From the B6291, the route of the road is north-eastwards, passing to the south of the cemetery grounds before heading almost due north, crossing over the unclassified road to Old Quarrington by means of a new bridge. A section of existing dual carriageway on the B6291 south of the proposed roundabout is to be converted back to single carriageway. This will have the benefits of reducing the speed of vehicles entering Coxhoe from the north, providing a more appropriate carriageway type compatible with its status as the B6291 and the achievement of roundabout deflection standards without increasing land take. To the north of the Old Quarrington bridge a new junction will be provided on the east side where the route crosses the access road serving Old Quarrington Quarry. An accommodation overbridge to serve Heugh Hall Farm and to carry the diverted Bridleway No 38 over the proposed carriageway is to be provided.
From Cassop Moor to its junction with the A181, the C12a is to be improved to provide a 7.3m wide carriageway and eliminate sections of sub-standard horizontal and vertical alignment. The staggered T-junction at Byers Garth is to be replaced with a roundabout, to reduce delays and improve road safety.
Landscape planting will be provided throughout the length of the new road and street lighting will be provided on the A181 and B6291 roundabout locations only. A footway will be provided throughout the length of the scheme, with a shared footway/cycleway at all roundabout locations. The potential for traffic management measures in Bowburn in conjunction with the proposed scheme will be looked at in order to maximise the environmental benefits to local residents.
The following map shows the A688 Wheatley Hill to Bowburn Link. Please click on the image below to view an enlarged version of the plan:
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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.
Background
Planning approval for the scheme was granted in May 2002 and some minor revisions to this approval were granted in May 2003.An appeal into the refusal of planning permission for coal extraction beneath part of the route (by a private developer) was held in May/June 2003. The Secretary of State announced in December 2003 that the appeal be turned down. The appellant made a legal challenge to this decision, which was rejected in the High Court, however, he was granted leave to appeal against this decision. The matter was heard in the Court of Appeal in November 2004 and the opencast operator lost his appeal.
Compulsory Purchase and Side Roads Orders were published in early May 2003. Due to objections, a public inquiry was held on 9 December 2003.
The Secretary of State subsequently announced the decision to allow the confirmation of the orders. A legal challenge submitted by the prospective opencast operator in respect of this decision was unsuccessful. However, in his Local Transport Plan settlement letter issued December 2004, the Secretary of State for Transport withdrew central government funding for the scheme for the financial year 2005-06.
In January 2006, the Interim Regional Transport Board identified the scheme within a list of regional priority transport schemes aimed at bringing both economic and social benefits and improvements to transport infrastructure and connectivity. This list was submitted to central government in January 2006 with a recommendation for approval of funding for the scheme. The package was drawn up in the context of the Department for Transport criteria of value for money, deliverability within the programme timescales and best fit with regional policy.
The scheme was subsequently identified as second priority major transport proposal in the final version of the county council's Local Transport Plan 2, which covers the authority's transport proposals for the period 2006-11.The County Council subsequently received full approval for funding the scheme from the Department for Transport (DfT). The DfT will contribute £10.5 million in grant aid for the scheme, with the remainder of the cost (£0.93m) to be provided by the Council.
