SAFETY measures proposed for one of the 50 most dangerous stretches of road in the country are to go on show to the public.

Durham County Council is proposing a series of measures to increase safety on the A67 between Bowes and Barnard Castle, including the town centre.

The measures include enhanced road markings, new signage and lower speed limits, and are subject to the council’s succeeding with its bid to the Department for Transport’s £175m Safer Roads Fund.

The department sought bids from local authorities assessed as having the country’s 50 highest risk sections of road.

Durham County Council has applied for £528,000 for the A167 and hopes to find out if it has been successful in the New Year.

The proposals would see new speed limit signs, road markings, traffic islands and landscaping on the approach to Barnard Castle to let drivers know they are moving into a 40mph speed limit and then 30mph limit.

In the town centre, a 20mph speed limit would be rolled out along with new and upgraded pedestrian islands, together with traffic lights at the Harmire Road junction.

Plans will be available to view at drop-in sessions on Wednesday, October 18, and Monday, October 23, from noon to 6pm.

The sessions will take place in the Dawson Room at Barnard Castle Town Council Offices on Flatts Road.

Adrian White, head of transport at the council, said: “We take road safety extremely seriously and the three serious accident casualties which were recorded on this stretch of the A67 is three too many.”

“That is why we have drawn up these proposals which we believe would greatly improve safety on this section of road.

“We are looking forward to sharing our plans with local residents in the coming weeks and to finding out whether our bid to the Safer Roads Fund has been successful.”