A BOSS is threatening to close his factory with the loss of 70 jobs in a row over access.

Jimmy Mitchinson, managing director of J Mitchinson, in Spennymoor, has issued an ultimatum to Durham County Council.

He says unless it alters its plans, he will tell his staff within ten days that they are to be made redundant.

He said that he will also consider moving his business out of County Durham.

However, the council insists the work it is carrying out – part of the DurhamGate scheme to develop the former Black & Decker site – is designed to stop lorries using residential streets.

But Mr Mitchinson claims the council is trying to force him out of business by curbing access to Enterprise Way, where his factory is based.

“The council’s going to block the road off and so I’m going to make all 70 people redundant and move elsewhere,”

he said.

“No one told us about it and we found out by accident and this means extra transport costs.

“We’d love to keep the work based in the North-East but the council does not seem to be trying to help us.

“I’ve spoken to the council and asked it to close the road further up to allow access to my site and it said no.”

Mr Mitchinson said that the restrictions involving the road, on Green Way Industrial Estate, would mean lorries having to make costly detours.

The authority claims the changed route will mean an extra one-mile maximum journey to reach the site, which manufactures metal trolleys for businesses including Royal Mail and Asda.

Dave Wafer, the council’s strategic traffic manager, said: “The finished development will include residential, commercial and industrial areas.

“As part of the DurhamGate project the council carried out extensive consultation on various aspects of the work.

“To ensure residents’ safety it is necessary for arrangements that will avoid heavy goods and delivery vehicles using residential streets to get to the business units.

“This will mean changes to the current traffic arrangements on Enterprise Way, which will affect local businesses and which have been the subject of full consultation with all those affected.”

The order, due to apply from June 16, will prevent entry on Enterprise Way northbound from 230 metres north of Green Lane and (heading southbound) from 170m south of Butchers Race.