Ford shut for investigation
STANHOPE Ford will remain closed while an investigation of river bed conditions is carried out. (May 2 edition)The ford was open for only a few hours on April 1 before two off-duty soldiers had to be rescued after their car became trapped in the fast flowing water.
The Ford, which was closed for winter, has remained closed ever since to avoid incidents of trapped motorists who ignored flood conditions, depth gauges and warning signs having to be rescued.
It is the first time the ford has been closed over winter. Durham County Council’s acting director of environment Roger Elphick said: “ Although the water level in the river is still too high to make a detailed inspection, our engineers are concerned that a build-up of silt and sediment downstream from the ford could be creating a dam-like effect that may be affecting water levels back at the ford itself.
“We have asked the Environment Agency to investigate, and its findings could delay the re-opening even further.
“In the meantime, we are waiting for the river level to fall so our own engineers can examine the condition of the carriageway across the river.”
