A £500M vision to dramatically boost walking and cycling across the North East has been unveiled – and includes ambitious plans to deliver significant improvements throughout County Durham.

Transport chiefs have revealed their strategy to make it easier for people to give up their cars and increase the number of short, active journeys in the region by 45 per cent by 2035.

Several proposals for County Durham, which are not funded at this stage, have been outlined in the North East Active Travel Strategy as part of the multimillion plans to create greener transport infrastructure.

It is thought that achieving the goal could prevent 1,000 premature deaths over the next 12 years, save 80,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, and swell the region’s economy by £350m every year.

Improvements to the national Cycle Network Route 1 in County Durham

A series of works to improve the quality of the route including upgrading to consider biodiversity and appearance of a section of National Cycle Network Route 1 which runs between Seaham and Stockton.

• Seaham to A19 – improvements to this section to include resurfacing and widening.

• The Moonscape – implement a preferred route to include resurfacing and widening.

• Pesspool Woods – replace the current boardwalk with a suitable, safe and to standard alternative. Improving the lead into and exit from the woods.

• Making habitat improvements along the route where appropriate.

• Removing any barriers along the route which prevent access for all non-motorised users

A689 Sedgefield to Wynyard active mode route

Upgraded/new off carriageway track connecting Sedgefield and Wynyard growth area.

Bishop Auckland to Barnard Castle active mode route improvements

Upgraded/new off carriageway track connecting Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle.

A177 cycling improvements, linking Coxhoe with Net Park employment site and Sedgefield

Belmont to Newton Hall active mode route improvements

Cycling route improvements via Belmont Viaduct, linking North and east Durham employment sites.

Newton Aycliffe active mode improvements

Delivering the priority phases of the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan for Newton Aycliffe.

Three towns active mode improvements

Targeted Improvements in Willington, Tow Law and Crook and the surrounding area.

Horden active mode improvements

Targeted Improvements in Horden and the surrounding area.

Bishop Auckland walking and cycling improvements

Targeted Improvements in Bishop Auckland and the surrounding area

Walking and cycling improvements in Durham City Centre

Package of proposals that seeks to enhance walking, cycling, public transport and driver information on Durham City.

Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs): Chester-Le-Street, Barnard Castle, Consett, Peterlee, Seaham, Spennymoor and Shildon

Due to the rural nature of the county, upgrading or providing new active mode links to the network enables more people to walk and cycle more often everyday giving better transport options to residents enabling them to travel actively and sustainably for both work and leisure purposes.

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The public consultation is open from 4 January until midnight on 5 March 2023. An in person drop-in session will take place at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on February 13,  10am-2pm.