THE future of Stanhope Ford, currently closed after a string of incidents, should be decided by a public inquiry, councillors will be told next week.

The crossing, which spans the River Wear at Stanhope, in Weardale, was closed three years ago by Durham County Council amid fears that too many motorists were attempting to cross when the river was in flood.

On Tuesday, the council’s highways committee will discuss its future, with officers recommending a move towards a public inquiry.

Environment cabinet member Bob Young said drivers who attempted to cross in difficult conditions risked their lives and those of the emergency services.

He said: “The safety record of Stanhope Ford is clearly a cause for some considerable concern, both to ourselves and the emergency services.”

Since 2001, 23 incidents have been reported, the last in April 2008, when a couple had to be rescued after their car became stranded in the river.

A council report has estimated that it would cost £100,000 to relay the road surface through the ford.

The proposed inquiry was welcomed by residents and councillors in Weardale who are opposed to the closure of the ford, which they see as a major tourist attraction.

Christopher Rowell, chairman of Stanhope Parish Council, said: “Stanhope Ford is important to the people of Weardale and it’s only right that decisions about its future are made in a fair and open forum, rather than behind closed doors at County Hall.

“A public inquiry will allow us to show Durham County Council the strength of local support for the ford.

“The Save Stanhope Ford Campaign and Stanhope Parish Council have campaigned tirelessly to save our ford and while this may only be the end of the beginning, it’s good to see our efforts have not so fair been in vain.”

The council has received 13 letters supporting the closure from bodies including the police and 21 objecting to it, but Councillor Rowell said almost 1,200 people have shown their opposition on social networking website Facebook.

Steve Keetley, head of technical services at the county council, said: “A public inquiry will ensure everyone gets to have their say.”

The meeting starts at 10am at County Hall in Durham.