Durham MPs slam council for ‘ignoring’ speeding concerns

Mary Kelly Foy, MP for City of Durham, slammed Durham County Council’s actions during a House of Commons debate. The Labour MP said residents have reported issues on several accident hotspot roads throughout the constituency, but no improvements have been made.

Her concerns were supported by Sam Rushworth, MP for Bishop Auckland, who claimed local speeding concerns are often “ignored” by local authorities. 

Durham County Council met with both MPs following the debate, but said it follows national guidelines when introducing speed measures. 

Campaigners and members of the Safer in Shicliffe group on the A177. (Image: The Northern Echo)

Mary Kelly Foy said: “Highway safety is something that I have been working on for a number of years, particularly with the communities of the A167 in Durham, Lowes Barn Bank, Toll House Road and Neville’s Cross.”

Shincliffe residents launched a community campaign several years ago, calling for the speed limit to be reduced after a spate of crashes. Locals launched the impassioned plea to reduce the speed limit on a stretch of the A177 through the village to protect people’s lives. 

Data shows 40 per cent of all fatalities and road incidents within the constituency have occurred in Shincliffe. The Safer in Shincliffe campaign group has also called for improved signage and road markings to highlight the need to slow down. 

However, Ms Foy said the campaigners’ pleas have so far failed to lead to improvements.

“People have been told again and again that nothing can or will be done, despite the fact that other areas with fewer road accidents are seeing road improvements,” she said. 

“Does my honourable friend agree that one of the biggest barriers to road improvements in County Durham is the arbitrary and rather baffling decisions of County Durham council’s highways department?”

Responding, Sam Rushworth MP said: “I agree 100 per cent with that assessment. It seems that it does not really matter who is in power; councillors do not seem to be listened to either. 

“I think it is a problem for democracy that so many people are saying the same thing, only to be ignored over and over again, so I welcome that intervention.”

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A 20mph speed limit, funded by the local parish council, is set to be introduced on roads in both Shincliffe and High Shincliffe villages following concerns. 

Cllr Andrew Husband, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “We recently met with MP Mary Foy and discussed the matters raised by herself and MP Sam Rushworth in Parliament.

“The Department for Transport sets out clear national legislation which we must apply when deciding on any request to implement a traffic calming measure.

“All requests are carefully considered in line with the government’s criteria, ensuring decisions are fair, transparent and consistent.”