Debate begins over future of famous road landmark

10:04am Friday 11th April 2008

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By Jim McTaggart »

ONE of the North-East's most famous road features may be moved from the middle of a busy junction to enable vehicles to pass more easily.

The Market Cross was erected in 1747 when horses, carts and an occasional stagecoach were the only traffic which had to get round it in the centre of Barnard Castle, in County Durham.

But modern coaches and articulated lorries often have difficulty getting round it, and the building - used in the past as a court, police lockup, town hall and art studio - is regularly hit and damaged.

Now the Barnard Castle Vision team, which is studying ways to improve the town, has put forward four options for the historic structure.

• Take it down stone by stone and rebuild it 40 yards away on a cobbled roadside;
• Form a roundabout around it;
• Create a road island beside it, with two pedestrian crossings and a 20mph speed limit;
• Install traffic lights and have a one-way system past it.

Town residents are being asked to say which idea they like best, and also to suggest possible uses for the building, which is now used only to store the town's festive lights.

The suggestions have already provoked a debate and some strong views.

Deputy mayor John Yarker said last night: "It is ridiculous to even think of moving Market Cross.

"It has been the most famous symbol of our town for more than 250 years. It would be far better to keep lorries out and find an alternative route for them."

Maurice Abrahams, who has a bookshop near the cross, said: "It would cost millions to move the building, and there isn't enough room for it on the cobbles. It would be better to create a formal roundabout.

"Some drivers don't know who has priority at the junction at the moment."

Dr Anne Allen, who is co-ordinating opinions for the team, said: "We want to know what the public thinks, but even then any proposal will need planning approval. The cost of moving the building would be high, but not all that enormous compared with some highway projects.

"But my own choice would be the fourth option, using traffic lights."

The cross's weather vane still has two bullet holes, the result of a shooting duel in 1804.

A gamekeeper called Cruddas and a volunteer soldier called Taylor argued in the Turk's Head about who was the best marksman. They went out and shot at the vane from 100 yards - and both hit it.

A pillared veranda at the foot of the building was used by farmers' wives on market days for more than 100 years to sell dairy products, mainly butter, and this led to some people calling it the Butter Market.

The building was put up and given to the town by a wealthy merchant, Thomas Breaks.

Charles Dickens looked over it when he stayed in the nearby King's Head Hotel, in 1838, to gather material for his novel Nicholas Nickleby.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you agree with any of the plans put forward by the Barnard Castle Vision team? Share your views via the form below.