Councillors have called for works to install safety measures at a County Durham road bridge to be speeded up.
Suicide prevention barriers are set to be installed at Newton Cap Viaduct, Bishop Auckland, next April, where several people have taken their lives over the years.
Some county councillors believe they should be installed sooner than next spring.
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Cllr Rob Yorke said: “We have worked shoulder to shoulder with Durham County Council officers, local partners and residents over the last few years to tackle this issue, which has only worsened as suicide rates have risen nationally.
“While we appreciate the announcements that barriers will be installed next April and, as councillors, we know it takes time to go through formal approvals in respect of conservation and heritage applications, but things continue to move at a slow pace, which just isn’t good enough when need is so acute.”
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While colleague Cllr Charlie Kay added: “We have been asking and campaigning for these measures for years, and throughout 2022, had been assured that they would be in place by September – we have to be able to speed up these clunky processes when people’s lives are concerned and I’d really like to know why it has taken so long to get this plan actioned and measures implemented sooner.”
Amanda Healy, Durham County Council’s director of public health, said suicide prevention is 'a priority' in County Durham.
She added: "We work closely with partners on a range of initiatives with this in mind, and also to ensure people are aware of the wide range of mental health support services available to them.
“Signs have been in place on Newton Cap Viaduct for a number of years encouraging anyone in distress to contact the Samaritans. We have put up more of these in recent times and will be installing new lighting, CCTV and barriers from February.
“While we appreciate the desire for measures to be installed as quickly as possible, we have to ensure what we are doing is in accordance with safety advice, the viaduct’s listed status and its location in a conservation area.
“There is also a lead-in time for manufacture and delivery of certain items but we are committed to ensuring all measures are in place as soon as possible.”
If you are in need of support you can contact the following:
- Samaritans is available, day or night, 365 days of the year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
- If U Care Share on 0191 387 5661 or text IUCS to 85258
- SANE on 07984 967 708, Calm on 0800 58 58 58
- Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust crisis line 0800 0516 171.
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