Hundreds of people have had their say on plans to build a new bypass in County Durham.
Durham County Council revealed more than 500 people responded to the A68 Toft Hill bypass survey last year.
The proposed scheme Toft Hill and High Etherley was first mooted after residents called for a bypass to reduce traffic and prevent large vehicles and HGVs from travelling through the village. Up to 7.500 vehicles travel along the key freight route each day.
Durham County Council says the scheme near West Auckland aims to create a better place for residents by removing through traffic, reducing noise and vibration, improving safety, and improving access to local shops and services. It is also hoped to improve journey experiences, times, and road links for residents travelling to neighbouring towns, and for freight traffic and long‑distance journeys.
Five ways new A68 bypass in County Durham could be built
The local authority outlined five potential bypass options and assessed each in terms of their economic, traffic, safety, environmental, and community impacts.
Plans for the bypass are one of three schemes in the Bishop Auckland constituency to have benefited from £20m Government levelling up cash. And while a new attraction has opened at Locomotion in Shildon and work is underway to renovate Whorlton Bridge, progress with the bypass has faced several delays.
However, residents previously admitted to becoming “disillusioned” with the scheme due to repeated delays.
A final decision on whether the bypass scheme will go ahead, and the preferred route, will be made later this year.
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A statement from Durham County Council read: “In October and November 2024, we held a consultation on the proposed creation of an A68 bypass for Toft Hill and High Etherley, funded through the Government's Levelling Up Fund. We asked residents, landowners, and partners for their views on whether they thought a bypass was needed as well as five possible options for the route.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to give their comments as part of the consultation. We received 543 responses to the survey (288 by post, 242 online, and 13 other responses including phone calls, emails, and letters). We are currently reviewing the feedback and undertaking the data analysis.
“The consultation responses will feed into the wider analysis of the proposed scheme and the results will be reported within our governance process which will determine and develop the next steps.”
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