A COUNTRY road damaged by a landslip is to be closed for the foreseeable future.

Durham County Council has now shut the road between Bridgehill and Allensford, near Consett, on safety grounds after a detailed examination found the damage to be more deep-seated than originally thought.

And highways engineers are unable to say when the road, used throughout the year by families heading to the popular Allensford Picnic Site, will reopen. Large cracks appeared in the surface of the C131 road during a landslip following heavy rainfall in February last year.

Initially, one half of the carriageway was closed and temporary two-way traffic lights were installed on the road, on winds through woodland on the edge of Allensford Caravan Park.

However, the road was completely closed last week (may 28) after surveys revealed that the cause of the problem was more complex than originally thought.

John Reed, Durham County Council’s head of technical services, said: “Surveys have revealed that the source of the embankment slip is much more deeply-seated than we had originally believed.

“Following discussions with the police we have decided to close the road as a precautionary measure on safety grounds.”

He added: “We are looking at finding a permanent solution which would enable the road to reopen.

However, due to the complexity of the problem, we are unable to say when this work may be completed.”

The closure affects the section of road between Allensford and the Diocesan Youth Village, a Catholic retreat centre for young people from across the region.

Until the work is completed, a lengthy diversion will be in place along the A68 and A692 through Castleside, Consett and Blackhill.