SOME drivers in County Durham will have an extra three miles added to their journey from next month until winter 2022 after highway bosses have called for an essential road closure notice.  

The B6300, Browney Lane at Burnigill Bank will close to all traffic from Friday, July 15 and will remain in place for the duration of the repairs, which are anticipated to be complete by the winter.

According to highway bosses at Durham County Council, land to the northern edge of the road has suffered slippage over recent years towards the East Coast Mainline, which runs adjacent to the road, and the road has become cracked and damaged.

Read more: A691 crash: What we know as car flips over near County Durham pub

A lane closure and temporary traffic lights are currently in place to allow road users to continue using the route, but major repair works are required to fix the landslip and to provide a safe surface for all vehicles to use. 

While Durham County Council works with Esh Construction to stabilise the embankment and repair the damaged road, a full road closure will be in place.

This will include during the summer school holidays, when traffic is lighter, with motorists being urged to plan their journeys and use alternative routes to minimise disruption.

Here's a map of the closure:

Drivers of vehicles over 4.4m or 14’ 6” are being advised to pay particular attention to the diversion in place for HGVs, which considers a restricted height bridge at Langley Moor.

This could include vehicles continuing on the A167 until Neville’s Cross and turning onto the A690 – a diversion of almost three miles each journey.

The Northern Echo: A lane closure and temporary traffic lights are currently in place to allow road users to continue using the route, but major repair works are required to fix the landslip. Picture: DIURHAM COUNTY COUNCILA lane closure and temporary traffic lights are currently in place to allow road users to continue using the route, but major repair works are required to fix the landslip. Picture: DIURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

Cllr John Shuttleworth, cabinet member for rural communities and highways, said: “We appreciate that Burnigill Bank is an important link to the A167 for our businesses and residents. Our engineers have been monitoring the condition of the road and embankment and have completed designs to allow these essential works to start in July.

“I would like to thank our residents and businesses in advance for their patience during these important works.”

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