A BID for £20 million to connect rural communities in County Durham – by reopening a bridge, building a village bypass and creating new walking and cycling paths – has been made to the Government.

Durham County Council, backed by MP Dehenna Davison, submitted an application for cash from the Levelling Up Fund for three projects across the Bishop Auckland constituency.

If successful, £10.8m would go towards re-routing the A68 to bypass Toft Hill, where residents have called for a solution to the heavy traffic and HGVs for decades.

The Grade II* listed Whorlton Bridge in Teesdale, which was closed to vehicles in 2019 and to walkers and cyclists the following year because it became structurally unsafe, will be reopened to all users.

And it will cover almost half the cost of a £15.683 million scheme at Locomotion in Shildon.

On Wednesday, Cabinet members endorsed the submission for the Bishop Auckland LUF bid, and £8.68 million of match-funding from council funds.

The Science Museum Group has already pledged £2.25million for the Locomotion Building 2 project, which includes car parking and rail structure restoration and an 18km walking and cycling route following the railway to connect communities such as Witton Park, St Helen Auckland, West Auckland, Shildon and Middridge to Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe. These will link to the first phase of the Barnard Castle to Bishop Auckland Corridor – with the council vowing to make extending the active route to Barnard Castle a priority.

Amy Harhoff, corporate director of regeneration, economy and growth, told cabinet members: “It is envisaged that a walking and cycle route will link the cultural and heritage attractions at Locomotion (Shildon), Auckland Castle (Bishop Auckland) and Bowes Museum and Castle (Barnard Castle), and provide an active mode route connecting rural communities along the corridor.

“When Whorlton Bridge is reopened, this will open up further walking and cycling opportunities from Barnard Castle.”

The council worked with Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison to get a bid for the constituency ready in time for yesterday’s deadline for the first of three rounds of LUF grants.

All the traffic will now go through West Auckland, ripping out the heart of the village with major traffic problems.

But it was not without its critics, including Councillor Rob Yorke, who represents West Auckland.

Asking cabinet members to instead back a bypass down to West Auckland, he said: “I understand that the proposals for the Toft Hill bypass have altered the original plans so all the traffic will now go through West Auckland, ripping out the heart of the village with major traffic problems.”

But he was told by deputy leader Councillor Richard Bell that the proposed route of the bypass – following Hartbrigg Lane – and local support had been the same for more than 20 years and only the potential to pay for it had changed.

He said whilst an extension to cover Spring Gardens and West Auckland was considered as a possible long term project back in 2002 it had not appeared on any council plans or strategies and did not feature in the regional transport plan published last year, which went out to consultation.

Cllr John Shuttleworth, cabinet member for rural communities and highways, added: “I can say with some authority that in 24 years I haven’t seen such a scheme drawn up for West Auckland.

“If Cllr Yorke brings some documentation and he wants to fetch it forward we are happy to look at it but I think we have to consult the people of West Auckland, whatever we can do for them we will be happy to do but it will need the MP’s support and obviously money out of her pocket as well.”

We are making this bid because we want to see improved connectivity for rural communities so that residents can access employment and education and leisure opportunities.

We want to see the quality of life improving for local communities, we want to be see air quality improvement that can contribute to net zero carbon output targets.

The LUF bid was the first of six that are expected to be submitted for constituencies across County Durham in future rounds.

Cllr Bell, cabinet member for finance, said: “We are making this bid because we want to see improved connectivity for rural communities so that residents can access employment and education and leisure opportunities.

“We want to see the quality of life improving for local communities, we want to be see air quality improvement that can contribute to net zero carbon output targets.

“Building a bypass for Toft Hill will improve the quality of life and environment in Toft Hill and will reduce carbon emissions by reducing congestions.

“Creating cycle ways from Shildon to Bishop Auckland and West Auckland will enable off-road green transport.

“It will also enhance our visitor offer and heritage transport assets which are being protected and repurposed for today’s active communities.

“Finally I want to see more money in people’s pockets, increased GVA, increased visitors and visitor spend and an alignment with other tourism strategies in the constituency.

“The bid in the report is designed to do all these things, and I look forward to seeing them delivered before April 2024.”