Market Cross is damaged again as 'driver fails to stop'

MORE damage has been caused to Barnard Castle’s iconic Market Cross after it was struck by a lorry.

This is despite new road markings and changes to paving which force trucks to take a wider turning curve in an effort to avoid hitting the Grade I listed building.

Damage caused more than a year ago on the other side of the building has yet to be repaired.

The truck was travelling down Market Place and turning onto Newgate shortly before 2pm when it struck part of the Market Cross roof, tearing off a chunk of metal work.

Pauline Connelly, of Connelly’s Toy Shop, said the low loader drove off without stopping.

She said: “It was massive, it had a digger thing on the back. It is absolutely disgraceful. I mean where is he going in town?”

She added that the new road markings had helped and most local trucks were able to negotiate the turn without any problems.

She said: “It is great. I don’t think they mount the pavement as much as they used to.

“It isn’t the ones coming into the town, it is the short-cutters [that are the problem]. They are not going to Glaxo and they are not going to Morrisons.”

One witness to the smash said: “It was a low loader carrying plant hire.

“It has two loading plates that allow them to be raised and lowered for plant to drive on board.

“One of the retaining straps ruptured and that flap came loose and fell back at a crazy angle and hit the Cross. He knew he’d hit it as there was an almighty bang and he backed up a couple of yards in order get a new ‘sweep’ past the building. Once he’d got past he just sped off.”

Adrian White, Durham County Council’s head of transport and contract services, said: “We are aware of the frustration caused by damage to the Market Cross by HGVs travelling through Barnard Castle.

"Earlier this year, we improved signage in the area and replaced road markings with solid kerbing to better guide HGVs around the Market Cross. We would also appeal to HGV drivers and their parent companies to consider if driving through Barnard Castle is strictly necessary, and to avoid driving past the Market Cross if at all possible.”