I was back at Crimdon this morning for a follow-up meeting with the clean and green team. This was arranged after our initial site meeting last week to take a look what could be done to address public concerns about access to the Dene area. Full background details can be found in this link: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2024/06/tackling-illegal-access-issues-at.html?m=1
Along with an officer from the clean and green team a fabricator from the company that installed the barriers and anti-bike gates came along this morning to see which options were available to either modify or replace the gates to prevent illegal access by off-road bikes and quads whilst maintaining access to mobility scooters, horse riders and other legitimate visitors.
The fabricator is confident that a solution can be found - either by replacing the existing boom gate with a bridle gate that would restrict access to bikes and quads but allow horses to step over. It is also proposed to replace the anti-bike gate at the side of the barrier with a modified gate that will still prevent access to bikes but at the same time give open access to pushchairs, mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
The fabricator has been asked to come up with a design that would meet the requirements set out above, and also give an estimated cost of the works to be carried out.
In addition, I’ve asked the fabricator to take a look at how similar access issues at Park Avenue in Blackhall Colliery could be dealt with. He has agreed to visit the site and come back with suggested measures that would restrict vehicular access to the public footpath along the middle of the street and also allay concerns about access for emergency vehicles where access is required by individual services.
I’ve also written to the North East Ambulance Service in relation to this issue and I’ll update on progress as soon as I have more information from the service.
In the meantime if you have any similar access issues that you would like me to know about please get in touch with me at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk and I’ll raise any concerns with the relevant authorities for their attention.