Work to improve the road network near an expanding County Durham retail park will begin next year following complaints from residents. 

Last week, further plans to almost double the size of the new Bishop Auckland Shopping and Leisure Park were revealed. Work on the first part of the complex finished earlier this year with brands including Popeyes, Home Bargains and Pure Gym having moved in since.

Now, developers plan to add three more retail units, a petrol station, and more car parking as part of a multimillion-pound project.

However, the news of the expansion was met with concern from dozens of residents who said nearby roads, including the A688 bypass at Tindale, cannot cope with the increased traffic.

Jodie Gates said: “They need to sort the road out first and put somewhere for pedestrians to safely cross, only a matter of time before there is an accident if they don’t sort something.”

CGI of how the extension of the new Bishop Auckland retail park could look. CGI of how the extension of the new Bishop Auckland retail park could look. (Image: ELG Planning)

Ry Slee, who described current traffic as a “nightmare”, added: “Hope they’re going to double the size of the road. They need to sort that issue out before building anymore.”

Meanwhile, Diane Golightly said: “It's so dangerous trying to cross the roads from Sainsbury’s over to the new part. Needs traffic lights. Traffic just flies around the corner.”

New filter lanes are set to be introduced on the road network to reduce traffic, as part of an initial planning agreement. 

“Section 278 works are taking place in 2025, which will allow the developer and Durham County Council to make alterations and improvements to the public highway, mainly at the roundabouts where filter lanes will be added to ease traffic flow,” a spokesperson for Prestige Properties said. 

Meanwhile, fit-out work is due to start at the REEL Cinema and bowling alley units in January 2025, with both set to open in July. A children’s soft play warehouse is also due to open soon. 

Dessert restaurant Kaspas will open at the retail park this Saturday, following on from national brands including TUI and The Range. New restaurants The Bake Bishop and Little Sicily are also expected to open before the new year.

It is thought phase two of the project could bring a further 300 jobs to the County Durham town. There will be around 900 car parking spaces at the site in total. 

Recommended reading: 

Subscribe to The Northern Echo now.

A public consultation event will be held on Friday, November 15, between 2pm and 7pm at Bishop Auckland Football Club, while locals can also comment on the plans online.

Councillor George Smith, West Auckland county councillor, said: “Phase 1 has been a remarkable success, with still more retail outlets to open it’s nice to see the level of activity on the site.

“We welcome the seven-screen cinema and bowling opening next year and of course, the many hundreds of jobs created are very welcome. It’s also good to see what was wasteland, totally transformed and regenerated.”