Consultation on A68 bypass launched after delays

The bypass is being proposed for the A68 at Toft Hill and High Etherley in County Durham

A long-awaited public consultation on plans for a new bypass of two villages has been launched.

Durham County Council is seeking opinions on a proposed new route for the A68 at Toft Hill and High Etherley.

The road near West Auckland is being considered after residents called for a means to reduce traffic and prevent large vehicles travelling through the village.

Councillor Elizabeth Scott said the consultation, which had previously been announced and then delayed, was an opportunity for residents to "have their say".

She said the A68 was a key freight route which carried more than 7,500 vehicles per day through the villages.

"This level of traffic creates several issues including congestion, noise, and air pollution in residential areas, as well as impacting pedestrians and cyclists," she said.

The council is looking for views on the bypass from residents who know the area

The bypass plan is one of three schemes to have benefited from £20m of government levelling up funding in Bishop Auckland, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The two other projects were a new attraction at the Locomotion rail museum in Shildon and the renovation of Whorlton Bridge near Barnard Castle.

But the consultation on the A68 bypass has been delayed three times - twice last year and once in July.

A two-day event at Toft Hill Community Centre was also scrapped.

Earlier this year, the council admitted progress on the scheme had been delayed by July's general election.

"We are looking for views from people based on their knowledge of the area, and all comments will be considered so that we can use the feedback to inform our next steps and which route option, if any, is taken forward," Scott said.

The consultation process is open until 17:00 GMT on 29 November.