Members of the Barnard Castle HGV Action Group say such a scheme would be much less onerous or expensive than a bypass and would minimise fears from traders that a relief road would take trade out of the town.
The action group say since its introduction in 2000, the number of HGVs going through Kirkby Stephen has dropped from 800 a day to just 40.
The scheme sees HGVs travelling between Brough and Tebay prevented from using the A685 through Kirkby Stephen. Instead they must continue to use the A66.
A report drawn up by the HGV Action Group states: “Key to the system is a permit scheme which allows companies with legitimate business in the town to gain exemption from the ban.
“Additionally, any vehicle driver in possession of a valid delivery note for an address in the area is permitted to travel into Kirkby.”
Campaigners say the A66 HGV diversion around Kirkby adds 21.4 miles and 16 minutes to journey times. Their idea for a similar system to keep HGVs out of Barnard Castle would take lorries travelling between Bowes and West Auckland along the A66 to Scotch Corner, north up the A1 and then onto the A68 turn off near Darlington.
They say this will add 16.5 miles and 11 minutes to the standard journey.
“The issue we are trying to solve is essentially one of vehicle length and width rather than weight,” states the action group report.
“At the narrowest point of the road, just north of the Abbey Bridge, we have never seen a HGV stay within the white lines, which makes it impossible for another HGV to pass it.”
The group says that before any such proposal can progress, up-to-date information is needed.
“To allow an informed decision, we really need to know the current situation in respect of HGVs accessing Barnard Castle, specifically how many are passing straight through,” says the group.
“A HGV survey was conducted in September 2001, which concluded 86.2 per cent of vehicles surveyed had a valid reason to be in the town centre, but this is now 16 years old and much has changed.
“The zone from which HGVs should be excluded is up for discussion. Our aim is to exclude HGVs from the A67 through the town centre between Newgate and Harmire Road and from Abbey Bridge and its approaches.”
The action group says that based on the Kirkby Stephen system, the cost of implementing such a scheme would be about £35,000 with annual running costs of about £500.
Barnard Castle town councillor Judi Sutherland, who is a member of the action group, said: “We are open to all sorts of ideas. We are not experts, but we can’t go on the way we are going.”
Fellow member Jennie White said it was important to stress that the group did not wish to alienate business and traders in Barnard Castle.
Cllr Sutherland said: “We know a lot of people want a bypass and we have asked for it to be included in the County Durham Plan, but with the best will in the world, it is at least ten years away.
“We have to do something in the medium term.”
Cllr Sutherland said the action group members were willing to help with a
new HGV survey in Barnard Castle.
In the meantime, the group has set up a Facebook page and is keen to hear people’s views on the situation. Search for Barnard Castle HGV Action Group.
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