Work has begun to deliver improvements to the A167’s Central Avenue and Ricknall Lane junctions, and at the A167/A689 Rushyford roundabout. Rushford roundabout work is due to be completed by mid September 2024.
In July 2024 work will commence to improve the A167 Central Avenue and Ricknall Lane junctions. It will provide additional road capacity in the area, and potentially allow the development of up to 1400 new homes on the Low Copelaw site to the east of the town.
Work that will be completed:
Durham County Council are widening the roads to the A167/A689 Rushyford roundabout and improving its layout.
They will start work at the A167’s Central Avenue and Ricknall Lane junctions in early July 2024 and expect to finish by Spring 2025.
The work at the A167’s Central Avenue junction will provide a new link road providing access to the future housing site, as well as a traffic light-controlled entry, improved pedestrian crossings and road resurfacing. This junction will be closed from 15th July 2024 while this work is ongoing.
DCC are also adding new traffic lights at the A167’s Ricknall Lane junction, improved pedestrian crossings and resurfacing the road. This junction will be closed from mid-September 2024. They will maintain access to the Premier Inn and The Gretna Green.
Diversions
Diversions for vehicles will be in place during specific construction phases and these will be signposted. Local pedestrian and cyclist diversions also will be in place and signposted.
Although some disruption is inevitable, the County Council are doing everything possible to minimise the impact to businesses and residents.
Funding
This scheme has been funded to the tune of £7million from the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) to deliver the scheme, which is scheduled for completion Summer 2025.