Plans for long-awaited Toft Hill bypass could be axed

The proposed A68 scheme near Toft Hill and High Etherley was first mooted after residents called for a bypass to reduce traffic and prevent large vehicles and HGVs from travelling through the villages. 

News of the potential axe would be a huge blow to local campaigners, who have passionately pleaded with successive council administrations for improvements. Bishop Auckland MP Sam Rushworth and ex MPs Helen Goodman and Dehenna Davison previously threw their support behind the scheme and raised the campaign in Parliament. 

Up to 7,500 vehicles travel along the key freight route each day but residents have repeatedly warned it is “unsuitable and unsafe”. 

Plans for the bypass were one of three schemes in the Bishop Auckland constituency to have benefited from £20 million Government levelling up cash, announced in 2021, alongside the restoration of the historic Whorlton Bridge, and the creation of a walking and cycling trail along the route of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR).

But the council said the impact of inflation on construction costs, alongside other financial pressures, means the total cost of the project is now estimated at up to £36.4 million. 

The council’s cabinet members will be invited to vote on the future of the scheme at a meeting on Wednesday (February 11). 

Cllr Tim McGuinness, cabinet member for rural, farming and transport, said: “We have undertaken a significant amount of work to establish the best way forward for the bypass scheme.

“During that time, factors outside of our control have led to escalating construction costs. We have also identified that all potential routes for the bypass would require significant remedial works due to the area’s historic coal mines.

“It is clear, therefore, that the project no longer offers value for money, so it is right that we give consideration to whether or not it should go ahead at this time.”

Members are being asked to either proceed with the next steps of the project and commit to covering the funding shortfall of at least £18.8 million, including additional survey fees or withdraw from the scheme.

If the scheme does not go ahead, around £8.9 million in funding would be retained for future use.

A further £750,000 will be allocated for works to improve road safety in Toft Hill, regardless of the decision. 

More than 500 people responded to the A68 Toft Hill bypass survey in 2024, which proposed five potential route options. However, some residents previously admitted to becoming “disillusioned” with the scheme due to repeated delays. 

When the bypass scheme was originally approved in 2021, the total costs were estimated at just under £12 million. 

However, costs have since skyrocketed with the council paying for extensive development work, including the appraisal of potential routes for the road, technical studies and cost assessments.

Cost estimates for the total project now range from just under £31.6 million to around £36.4 million, the council said. 

“While we have to consider the potential not to progress with the scheme, we do understand the concerns of residents in Toft Hill about road safety in the village,” Cllr McGuinness added. 

“Regardless of our decision regarding the bypass, we will set money aside to improve road safety, working in consultation with residents to ensure any work directly addresses their concerns.

“We appreciate that the project has been on hold now for a number of years, but it is necessary that we, as a Cabinet, do our due diligence on any spend and ensure value for money, especially when the costs of a project have escalated significantly or so much time has passed.”