CONCERNS have been raised that problems with subsidence have returned to a busy stretch of the A67.

A hole has appeared behind the crash barrier on a section between High Coniscliffe and Carlbury on the main route connecting Darlington to Barnard Castle.

The problem has arisen on the same stretch which was closed for about three years during a £2.4m programme of repairs to tackle subsidence problems.

Traffic lights have been installed and sandbags laid on the road where sections of the kerb have been damaged while Darlington Borough Council assesses the scale of the problem.

Lesley Tulloch, whose home overlooks the roadworks, said she was angry and frustrated that nobody had the courtesy to inform her that traffic lights were to be installed ahead of any remedial work.

She said: “I can’t believe that the traffic lights were put in place and no-one bothered to even contact me and let me know it was happening.

"I have tried contacting the council but so far I have not been able to find out how long they are going to be there or what the problem is.

“It looks to me as though there has been some subsidence in the same place where the work was carried out last time – it clearly doesn’t look as though it has worked. There has been heavy rain recently but it hasn’t been worse than any other year.

“I know they have reduced the speed limit along this stretch but maybe it is time to look at imposing a weight limit on the road as it was not designed for heavy good vehicles.”

The area currently cordoned off is where the stabilisation work was carried out and metal netting was installed in a bid to reduce the risks of subsidence.

The work also included removing a number of ancient trees from the embankment to allow it to be pinned and secured following a serious landslip in February 2013.

The stabilisation works to the embankment started following months of work by the council and Northumbrian Water to complete a 1km diversion of two water mains to relieve excess pressure on the embankment.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council said: “Following a report from a member of the public who suggested a possible landslip has occurred below the A67, we have had geotechnical experts visit and they advised that further monitoring and investigation should be undertaken.

“The traffic management that has been is installed is to enable repairs to broken kerbs that have been hit by HGVs, and to allow investigation to commence. We will ensure residents are kept informed of any remedial works that may be required.”