Archive for the ‘Footpath’ Category

Newer Entries »

Shotley Grove footbridge delayed!

June 18, 2010

Although all the advance works for the replacement footbridge are all complete [including road widening for crane access], construction workers have moved off site.

Access issues on the Northumberland side of the river are still not resolved. It appears that land negotiations failed at the 11th hour.

The fabrication of the additional 10 metre section of bridge [to be added to an existing 30 metre section] has been put on hold and other orders cancelled whilst land agents try to deal with the issues.

There is only a limited window in which construction can take place, before October, to satisfy Environment Agency requirements.  If an affordable agreement cannot be reached the viability of the scheme may be in doubt, particularly in the current economic climate with budget cuts looming.

Posted in Footpath | Leave a Comment »

Shotley Grove footbridge

April 24, 2010

Work has started on preparing the site for the new footbridge which will replace the one washed away in the floods in September 2008.

Trees and bushes have been felled on both banks of the river to allow for access and the foundations for the bridge to be constructed.

Planning approval and Environment Agency consent for the bridge have been obtained and the main contractor is drawing up a works programme. However, there is no start date yet because there are a number of logistical issues to be resolved, regarding road access for the lifting crane.

The trees have been reduced so as to help with the crane lift. It’s planned that the assembled 31m deck span will be positioned alongside the river’s edge wall bounding the car park before being lifted into place. The tree works have been done early prior to any birds setting up nests.

Posted in Footpath, Photos, Planning applications | 2 Comments »

Pavement parking

March 28, 2010

Parking on pavements not only causes damage to the path but can be inconvenient to pedestrians, particularly those with pushchairs or wheelchairs.  It is a particular problem in the village centre and near the Junior and Infant schools, where pedestrians are often forced into the road by inconsiderate drivers.

In many residential areas parking on footpaths cannot be avoided as there is insufficient off street parking available.  But where the road is wide enough to allow vehicles to pass there is often no excuse to park on the pavement.

Durham County Council’s website gives more details about the problems caused and information about illegal parking and obstruction.

Posted in Footpath, Traffic & parking | 1 Comment »

Wet footpath at ‘The Cut’

March 10, 2010

[Click on the photos to enlarge]

This afternoon an officer from Durham County Council was invited by the Trust to look at the problem of water flowing down the footpath between Briary Gardens and The Briary. This public right of way is well used but a spring behind The Briary is causing the path to become muddy and wet.

It is hoped that the ‘stream’ can be drained away from the path and the surface re-dressed.

Posted in Footpath, Meetings, Photos | Leave a Comment »

‘The cut’ is dry again

November 20, 2009

The footpath link between Peile Park and The Briary/The Terrace/Churchill Close is now open and dry.

The duck-boards have been removed, drainage added and the path resurfaced. Thank you to the County Council for solving the problem of flooding here that has blighted adjoining properties and inconvenienced users of this important footpath link between Benfieldside and Shotley Bridge.

Posted in Footpath, Photos | Leave a Comment »

Newer Entries »