Hundreds of people respond to bypass survey
LDRSHundreds of people have given their view on plans for a new bypass.
Durham County Council said more than 500 people responded to a survey on proposals for a new route on the A68 around the villages of Toft Hill and High Etherley near Bishop Auckland.
Up to 7,500 vehicles travel along the road each day and concerns have been raised about congestion, noise, and air pollution.
A final decision on whether the bypass scheme will go ahead, and the preferred route, will be made later this year according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The A68 is a long-distance traffic route that connects Darlington to Edinburgh and runs north to south through the western part of County Durham.
Durham County Council described it as "a key lorry route for both the county and the wider region."
LDRSIt said the scheme aimed to create a better place for residents by removing through-traffic, reducing noise and vibration, improving safety and making it easier for people to get to local shops.
The council added the bypass would also make the area safer for cyclists and reduce driver frustration.
The local authority outlined five potential bypass options and assessed each in terms of their economic, traffic, safety, environmental and community impacts.
Residents have previously complained about a lack of progress with the proposals which the council attributed to the "general election and other factors".
A statement from Durham County Council thanked those who gave their comments saying they had received 543 responses and were "reviewing the feedback and undertaking the data analysis".
It added: "The consultation responses will feed into the wider analysis of the proposed scheme and the results will help determine and develop the next steps."