A MAJOR commuter route could remain closed for months following a landslip.
The A67 from Darlington to Barnard Castle was closed at Low Carlbury between High Coniscliffe and Piercebridge last Tuesday (March 19) after further ground movement was discovered under the road following an initial landslip in February.
The road, which runs along the top of a bank above the River Tees, could remain closed for months due to public safety as the slip may affect some Northumbrian Water mains.
A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said: “If the mains fail the road would suffer significant damage and as such we cannot allow the public to use the road until the risk is under control.
“It is obviously very difficult to predict the movement of the bank and the impact that might have on the road and water mains, but given the present levels of movement and weather predictions we have considered it necessary to close the road.”
Steps are being taken by Northumbrian Water to manage the water flow in one of the mains and the situation is being kept under review.
Traffic is being diverted along the B6275, via Staindrop Road and Carmel Road North.
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