A NOTORIOUS river crossing was reopened today for the first time in 14 months.

Stanhope Ford, in County Durham, has been closed since April last year, initially for safety reasons and then for repairs to the carriageway.

It had been shut for the winter for the first time in October 2007 and had only been open for a few hours when two off-duty soldiers were marooned in their car.

Highways engineers from Durham County Council have been waiting since then for the right conditions to repair the riverbed and were able to carry out the work earlier this month.

The ford will stay open until October when winter closing comes into force.

The council decided two years ago to shut it for six months every year between October and April when water levels are higher.

The shutdown followed more than 30 calls to the emergency services, including helicopter rescues, after drivers ignored flood conditions, water depth gauges and warning signs and tried to cross.

Coun Bob Young, the council's cabinet member for environment, said: "We have now completed the repair work to ensure that the ford is safe.

"Because the concrete bed is below water the process for repairing the highway is obviously slightly different.

"We have therefore allowed additional time before re-opening the ford to inspect the repairs and make sure they have been successful."

Drivers are still warned they should must pay attention to the water levels and condition of the river before deciding whether to use the ford.

Coun Young added: "Even when the ford is open it is still important that drivers take into account the local conditions and use their judgement before deciding whether to cross using the ford.

"If people are in any doubt they should use the alternative route."