By Pam Wilson
On behalf of The Hamsterley Forest Action Group
THERE are many important issues that have been raised during the campaign to stop the proposed
development in Hamsterley Forest; but let’s deep dive into the issue of the road infrastructure, or lack of, in
the surrounding areas and villages leading to the forest.
Durham County Council drew up the local policies that all planning applications must adhere to in the
‘County Durham Plan Adopted 2020’. These policies are required in law and must be compliant with the
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2019, which was written to favour sustainable development
and assist local planning authorities to approve all individual proposals wherever possible.
Policy 21 Delivering Sustainable Transport – The transport implications of development must be addressed
as part of any planning application, where relevant this could include
through Transport Assessments, Transport Statements and Travel Plans. All development shall deliver
sustainable transport by:
- a. delivering, accommodating and facilitating investment in safe sustainable modes of transport in the
following order of priority: those with mobility issues or disabilities, walking, cycling, bus and rail transport,
car sharing and alternative fuel vehicles; - b. providing appropriate, well designed, permeable and direct routes for walking, cycling and bus access, so
that new developments clearly link to existing services and facilities together with existing routes for the
convenience of all users; - c. ensuring that any vehicular traffic generated by new development, following the implementation of
sustainable transport measures, can be safely accommodated on the local and strategic highway network
and that severe congestion can be overcome by appropriate transport improvements; does not cause an
unacceptable increase in congestion or air pollution and - d. ensuring the creation of new or improvements to existing routes and facilities do not cause unacceptable
harm to the natural, built or historic environment.
The Forestry England Transport Statement designates Redford Lane as the primary route
in/out of Hamsterley Forest for all proposed projects in the planning application; 70 lodges,
Go Ape activities, the camping area and 48-bed bunkhouse. Redford Lane is already
below normal highway standards. It is a single track road, more that half a mile long, unlit
with no designated footpaths, the narrowest point being 3.2 metres. Vehicles routinely go
beyond the tarmac and between 2023 and 2024 there were 5 verge collapses. The
passing places are substandard, some are existing field entrances being utilised with soft
verges and deep ruts, undesirable for cars of any size to negotiate and none of them are
long enough to accommodate the larger vehicles (lorries and forestry logging wagons).
The road frequently floods when the underground surface water culverts overtop. Larger
vehicles struggle to make the difficult left turn out of Redford Lane onto Shull Bank and
similarly turning right into Reford Lane, often having to go straight on to turn around
somewhere else and come back. Visibility and sight lines are impacted on what is a
national speed limit road. Despite all of this the road is also used by pedestrians, cyclists
and horse riders – at their peril (Highway Code Rule 215 cannot be applied for horses i.e.
allowing at least 2 metres of space when passing).
The Transport Statement road surveys do not reflect reality, they were conducted in 2021
when there was still some level of pandemic restrictions in place and did not follow the
guidance from the Department for Transport at that time.
Once in the forest, Forest Drive is similarly am single track, multi-user (only one small section
has a pavement despite it being sign-posted as a ‘family friendly walk’), unlit road and runs
from Redford Lane through the forest up to The Grove properties, a short distance from
where large camping areas and a 48-bed bunkhouse are proposed. The forest is closed at
4pm on weekdays and 5pm on weekends and Bank Holidays by locked gates on Forest
Drive therefore access to the camping area and bunkhouse will be blocked early every day
forcing visitors to turn around, go back out of the forest and take the alternative access route
via Windy Bank Lane and Grove Road. Grove Road is not mentioned in the application, but it
is inevitable that it will be the route of choice for visitors to the camping area and even
Forestry England’s future planning department have confirmed this, contrary to the planning
application statement. Grove Road an unlit single track lane over 1 mile long also carries the
national speed limit. There are insufficient suitable passing places, soft grass verges with
very deep ruts, restricted forward visibility on sections of the road, it’s in bad repair and there
is a Grade II Listed Bridge to cross as it joins Forest Drive. Thereafter are numerous
designated cycle and walking routes that cross over the road and there is no signage warning
vehicles of this.
Nearby (c. 2 miles) Hamsterley Village is considered the main route to the forest. Currently
there is no feasible way for visitors to reach Hamsterley Village, let alone the forest, other
than by motor vehicle. The Forestry England Transport Statement erroneously states that
there are 3 buses into Hamsterley Village – there are no public buses at all and taxis are in
very short supply in the local area. Likewise, no public transport to the forest. This does not
align with Policy 21 requirements, there are clearly no existing services to link to. At
weekends and bank holidays the volume of traffic is already unsustainable for a rural
environment and with this proposed development it will become intolerable.
Due to the unavoidable on-road parking, Saunders Avenue which runs the length of the
Hamsterley Village effectively has the usable width of a single lane. Residents are angered
at the speed and lack of respect of some road users, especially as there is a primary school
there – they campaigned unsuccessfully in the past to have the speed limit reduced to 20mph
for safety reasons. Locals are even more fearful now of impending safety issues and noise
and air pollution that a huge increase in the volume of traffic would bring should this proposal
be approved and the inevitable – Hamsterley Village becoming a rat run. This does not align
with Policy 21 requirements, as it clearly will cause an unacceptable increase in congestion
and air pollution.
The Transport Statement cites the top end of Saunders Avenue (C31 at Crakehill Bank) as
the access route to the A68 road, despite this section of road being closed for 2 years
already with no foreseeable resolution or available funds due to the huge cost of the unstable
embankment of the River Wear which runs alongside. Traffic has been diverted via Daniel
Hill and within 2 years of this diversion major repairs are being carried at both sides of the
road where it crosses Linburn Beck due to the edges being eroded. Roadworks were
recently hampered when a large lorry was caught in the rut and badly listing, blocking the
alternative route to the village. More diversions, more delays, more chaos.
Further afield Woodland c.5 miles and Winston c.12 miles will be unduly affected by
increased traffic as both are routes to the forest from the opposite direction. Roads leading to
Hamsterley Forest are mainly B, C and unclassified roads which are not built for the volume
of traffic anticipated by this planning application. They are not suited to lorries and vans with
some roads only wide enough for 1 vehicle to safely pass. Verges are in a poor state, deep
potholes and ruts. Increased traffic from Middleton, Barnard Castle and those leaving the M6
and A66 as examples, will go onto B roads via Woodland directed by sat nav, many of them
inadvertently going via an unclassified road down to Blackling Hole, despite the signage,
where there is no access to the forest! Kinninvie crossroad must have a mention, this is
already an accident blackspot despite recent efforts to improve the safety there is a likelihood
of increased accidents there.
Both Woodland and Winston are at higher altitudes and in winter months are subjected to
drifting snow and ice creating treacherous conditions. In the milder months the locals enjoy
walking, running, cycling and horse riding around the villages but they are likely to be robbed
of their favourite pastimes as increased traffic poses too high a risk to their safety. Increased
traffic levels will bring higher levels of air and noise pollution to what are currently peaceful
villages.
The increase in traffic will no doubt cause congestion and bottlenecks at the Wolsingham
(A689) Causeway Bridge (already a temporary closure for repairs last year has had to be
postponed ), the River Wear Bridge at Witton Le Wear may be next, it is also showing signs
of disrepair.
The surrounding road networks will all be affected by the increase in traffic and will have
unacceptable implications for the local areas. The local infrastructure is not adequate to
accommodate this level of increase in traffic from the large numbers of extra visitors and
service vehicles, not to mention the construction period with heavy plant vehicles, logging
wagons, delivery vehicles etc. coming into the area.
The impact of the proposed development is going to test the infrastructure to breaking point
in areas in and around Hamsterley. It appears that the long-term implications of the road
closures and the details of the type of vehicles that will need to access the site during
construction and operation have not properly been assessed. Without full disclosure of the
supporting information, analysis and results presented in the Transport Statement, Durham
County Council, in accordance with Paragraph 115 of the NPPF, will not be able to confirm if
the development will have an unacceptable impact on highway safety, or if the residual
cumulative impact on the road network would be severe.
One can’t imagine the chaos and hazards that lies ahead if this application is approved and
there is unlikely to be any benefits for the local community who will be subjected to excess
traffic, noise, pollution and safety issue.
Cllr John Shuttleworth, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for highways and rural
affairs, said: “All comments made in response to the consultation on the planning application
for Hamsterley Forest will be carefully considered by our officers ahead of them forming a
recommendation for committee members. These will include any views from statutory
consultees on anticipated levels of traffic and whether these will impact on the local road
network.
“On the subject of the road infrastructure, our officers carry out scheduled safety inspections
of the network in accordance with our highway safety and inspection manual which is aligned
to the National Code of Practise for well-maintained highway infrastructure. Should the
service consider that works are required in any location they will be considered for inclusion
in a future programme of schemes based on priority.
“Similarly, all highway structures are subject to general and principal inspections in
accordance with the national Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. As with roads, any
locations of concern will be considered for works on a priority basis.
“With specific reference to the C31 Crakehill Bank we appreciate people’s patience and
understanding while the road remains closed, which is in the interests of public safety. The
nature of the carriageway and embankment slippage continues to make this a challenging
and complex project but we are reviewing all available options and a diversion remains in
place in the meantime.”
