A PUBLIC inquiry started today into the future of a river crossing closed by police under emergency powers.

Stanhope Ford, in Weardale, County Durham, has been shut since April 2008, but now police and Durham County Council want to make the closure permanent.

Critics argue that closing the ford, popular with tourists and residents, would harm Stanhope’s economy, but the council has countered that it is spending £200,000 to attract visitors to the area.

Dave Wilcox, the county’s highways manager, said the cash would be used to refurbish the Durham Dales Centre to include a business hub.

Speaking at the inquiry, in St Thomas’ Church hall, Stanhope, he revealed the cost of the scheme for the first time, although some details have already been made public.

Mr Wilcox said the council had investigated a number of alternatives to closure, but none were satisfactory.

He said three options were considered requiring up to £100,000 to introduce, but ultimately the decision to close was based on safety.

Mr Wilcox said a flow of only six inches of water was enough to sweep an adult off their feet and a flow of two feet was enough to move a vehicle.

He said there had been a natural deposit of rocks and gravel upstream that had increased the average flow to four inches, but there was no way of accounting for tidal river bores, caused by sudden downpours.

Mr Wilcox said the ford’s stepping stones would remain open to pedestrians, adding: “Children will still be able to play in the ford, removing the conflict between them and the traffic.”

More than 20 rescues have taken place at the ford since 2001, most involving motorists becoming stranded in the middle of the River Wear.

The inquiry is expected to run until Thursday.