Road layout changes to protect Barnard Castle's Market Cross

ROADS around an historic landmark are to be changed to protect it from being smashed to pieces by HGVs.
Campaigners in Barnard Castle have been calling for years for something to be done to protect the town’s iconic Market Cross.
The monument has been repaired three times in as many years after chunks were knocked out of it by juggernauts.
The grade I-listed building took a particular hammering last year when overnight closures of the A1 motorway diverted fleets of lorries through the town.
The problem was so bad that Durham’s police and crime commissioner Ron Hogg stepped in and organised site visits, which included highways officers, A1 motorway contractors, county councillors and local campaigners.
As a result of more recent meetings between Teesdale Action Partnership’s transport and environment task group and highways officers, cash has been found to change the islands around the building.
County councillor Ted Henderson, of the task group, said work around the Market Cross is due to begin on March 6.
He added: “We have found some cash and we are going to spend it.
“They are going to adjust the traffic islands at the top, at Newgate, and at the side, on The Bank, to give trucks more room to swing around.
“They will extend the cobbles on The Bank side of the Market Cross so trucks have to take a bigger swing.”
Part of the Market Place service road will be closed during the anticipated four weeks of construction, which includes kerbing, paving and lining.
A three phase traffic light system will be in place.
However, campaigners will be disappointed that there are no immediate plans to address problems at Abbey Bridge which also took a bashing during the overnight closures.
Cllr Henderson added: “The Abbey Bridge will be done in time, the trouble with that is finance.
“There is a lot more work than just moving a white line.
“They would have to adjust the traffic lights and pressure plates under the road. So it is a bigger job than just moving the white line.”
The county councillor hoped cash for the work will be made available in the next financial year.