60mph limit may be cut on ‘danger road’ in Staindrop

VILLAGERS in Staindrop are one step closer to solving parking issues.
During recent months, residents have spoken out about their concerns about parking provisions and road safety in locations including Cleatlam Lane, Winston Road and near to the Duke Street junction.
Last month, a site meeting was attended by members of Staindrop Parish Council, police, staff from Staindrop Academy and a representative from North Star Housing.
A number of proposals are now being considered including a 40mph zone.
Coach parking problems on Cleatlam Lane were discussed but in this case officials said there was nothing they could do.
Parish clerk Tom Bolton said: “The feedback from the police and the county council was that they did not feel there were any issues there that needed to be addressed in the way of any engineering works or any parking restrictions.”
Double parking at the junction of Duke Street, North Green and the A688 was also brought to the attention of the parish council.
Councillors were made aware of an issue with road safety after a driver was involved in a near miss near the Spar shop.
Mr Bolton said: “The county council have said they will look at the paved area near the butcher’s shop.
“They may be able to extend that out so it is in line with the other side. They are going to come back with some proposals.”
The parish council had also received a complaint from a resident about the need for additional parking on Winston Road.
Mr Bolton said: “Really there is not any space along Winston Road to create any additional parking. That was the general feeling.
“Even on the south side of the road, we looked at the width of the footpath. A lot of the vehicles already park on the pavement.”
The issue of speeding was raised at the parish council meeting.
Cllr Samuel Devonport said: “I do a paper round on a morning and the speed some of them go down there is terrible.”
In response to complaints from residents and parish councillors in the upper dale six speedwatch operations were conducted in Middleton-in-Teesdale in February by police and volunteers.
Out of 445 vehicles, 98 were clocked at 35mph or quicker.
Councillors agreed for a request to be sent to police for a speedwatch to be carried out on Winston Road.
Durham County Council is also looking at introducing a 40mph buffer zone for vehicles approaching the village from Winston.
Mr Bolton said: “Police are looking into some localities to have a step down so you don’t come straight down from 60mph to 30mph. You have a 40mph buffer zone.
“That is something that the Durham County Council representative said that they would go away and consider.”
A full report from Durham County Council is expected to be heard at the next parish council meeting on Thursday, April 20.