A REGULAR user of a river ford hopes there is no "nanny-state knee-jerk reaction" following recent rescues of stranded motorists.

Calls have been made for safety measures at Stanhope Ford, in Weardale, County Durham, after the latest air ambulance rescue of a motorist from the River Wear crossing.

An air ambulance paramedic was lowered on to the roof of an Audi car to pick up the stranded motorist in Sunday's incident, the third high-profile rescue at the ford in the past two years.

Police have threatened to prosecute drivers who disregard warning signs on the approaches to the ford, on the A689 Weardale road and the B6278 Bollihope Common crossing.

Durham County Council is considering installing gates and other measures, such as automatically operated sirens and warning lights, and is to meet Stanhope Parish Council to discuss options.

But parish chairman Harry Irwin said residents were concerned that visitors might be dissuaded from going to the ford.

George Jolley, organiser of the annual Beamish run for vintage and classic vehicles, said the ford was one of the most popular sections of the route.

He believes there is no need to close it to traffic, providing motorists heed warning signs and drive appropriately.

He said: "We've had more than 100 vehicles anything up to 80 years old going through for the last 35 years and, apart from a handful crossing too quickly, we've yet to have a problem.

"I must have crossed it more than 100 times and there's absolutely no need for any panic, nanny-state measures.

"Motorists should slow down, cross in lower gears and keep revs up, to keep pressure up in the exhaust to prevent water getting into the engine. There are surface weeds which cause vehicles going too fast to scrabble for grip, so it should be crossed at low but constant speed."

The county council's environment and transport cabinet member, Councillor Bob Pendlebury, said "it would be nice to think" motorists' common sense, observing warning signs and conditions, would prevent future incidents.