COUNCIL bosses and developers have agreed to step in to repair sections of crumbling road near a major construction site in Durham.

Last year, works started on the first phase of the £150 million Milburngate scheme. When completed, the plans aim to pave the way for a new retail and leisure complex, apartments and office space on Durham’s riverside.

At a council meeting, it was revealed developers and Durham County Council will carry out works at Framwellgate Peth following reports of ‘movement in the road and footpath’.

A large crack has also appeared in a wall at the private Highgate development – however it is not known whether this is linked to the Milburngate site.

The matter was discussed at the authority’s (DCC) budget meeting on February 26 following a question from Liberal Democrat opposition councillor Richard Ormerod.

The Elvet and Gilesgate councillor asked what actions were being taken to prevent damage to the road and avoid potential road closures.

DCC’s cabinet member for Neighbourhoods and Local Partnerships, Coun Brian Stephens, confirmed developers had agreed to carry out highway repairs.

He added issues with private sector properties were “pre-existing” at the start of the [Milburngate] works with “no further action expected.”

However, Coun Ormerod disputed this producing a Google Maps image of the site dated March 2019 which showed no damage to the wall at Highgate.

He added he was pleased to see developers “taking a responsibility for the damage that has been caused to the road surface.”

Council bosses agreed to keep members updated on any further issues in the area.

And DCC’s Highway Services Manager, Mark Readman, stressed that the Framwellgate Peth road is safe for public use.

“We’re aware of movement in the road and footpath on Framwellgate Peth and of reports of issues at adjacent private properties,” he explained after the meeting.

“We have been investigating the cause of the movement and in discussions with the developer of an adjacent site following which it has agreed to carry out some work to the road.

“However it is important to stress it remains very much safe to use.

“In addition to the developer’s work, we will be carrying out some patching to the road and drainage work.  

“The road will remain open at all times, with traffic management in place, and the work will be carried out outside of peak times to minimise disruption for the travelling public.”