Precautionary road closure near County Durham crossroads

The closure - just south of Kinninvie crossroads - follows a collision between a car and a van, which happened earlier this year and resulted in serious damage to a nearby house.

Since then, temporary traffic lights have been in place on all approaches to the crossroads to enable structural repairs to be made to the damaged house.

Northbound drivers will be diverted

The precautionary road closure - which will not apply to cyclists - will come into force once the lights are removed on Friday 7 July.

It will see the installation of a kerbed island and no entry signs on the C41 road that runs between the B6278 and B6279 at a point just north of its Marwood/Stainton turn-off.

This will prohibit northbound drivers travelling from the B6278 from continuing past the turn-off to reach the B6279 Kinninvie crossroads.

Instead, they will be diverted to the B6279 via the C43 and Dent Gate Lane.

'Closure gives us time to consider options'

Dave Lewin, our strategic traffic manager, said: "We're implementing this Experimental Traffic Regulation Order following discussions and an on-site meeting with police, councillors, landowners, and the occupant of the damaged house.

"It will effectively close the road to northbound motorists for up to 18 months. This is a precautionary measure made possible by the very low volume of traffic that uses this route. It gives us time to consider the various concerns that have been raised and explore options for the future of the road network in this area in detail.

"Though this is not a busy route, we do apologise in advance for any delays to journeys and appreciate people's patience while we consider the options. Diversions will be clearly signed."

Where to find out more

One of the options we will be considering is whether the closure should be made permanent.

Anyone who wishes to object to a permanent closure should send their objection, and the grounds for it, to Sharon Renwick, Legal Assistant, Legal Services, County Hall, Durham, or via email to highways.orders@durham.gov.uk and quote reference number 36565.