PART of a main arterial route for a city closed following heavy snows last week, has been reopened.

Traffic can once again use the westbound carriageway of the A690 Durham Road, but it remains restricted to the outside lane only through Houghton Cut.

The stretch of road at Houghton-le-Spring had been closed since Friday due to the danger of overhanging snow falling onto the carriageway below.

Following a further inspection, the outside lane of the Durham bound carriageway was reopened today.

The inside lane will remain closed for the time being as a precautionary measure against any further snow coming down and bringing rock with it onto the carriageway below.

A 100 metre stretch of one metre high water filled barriers is being put in place to separate the two carriageways and limit any snow from the rock face falling into the closed inside lane.

The situation will continue to be monitored on a two hourly basis.

Councillor Michael Mordey, Portfolio Holder for City Services, said: “The A690 is one on the main arterial routes into and out of the city and we understand the inconvenience the westbound carriageway’s closure has brought to the many thousands of people who use it on their daily commute and would like to thank them for their patience.

“Public safety has to be a priority but we have been working with our partners in the police and the fire service since Friday to reopen it to the traffic at the earliest possible opportunity. This has included two attempts by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service to dislodge the overhanging snow drifts which unfortunately were unsuccessful.

“We believe we have now found a compromise that will allow us to go ahead with reopening the outside lane safely while we continue to monitor the situation.”