A stretch of a busy 60mph road has been reduced to 40mph as work gets underway on a controversial new housing estate.
Stockton Council has lowered the speed limit from national regulations on the A67 Thirsk Road, which connects Yarm with Kirklevington, as part of a permanent traffic order.
The road was previously 60mph from Green Lane (A1044) until 40mph restrictions around Kirklevington, with the road returning to 60mph after the St Martin’s Green housing estate.
Notice was given by the authority for the change back in May, with the reasoning being for “avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using the road or any other road”.
Stockton Council has confirmed that the speed limit was lowered "to create access for a new housing development" - adding that speed surveys prior to the changes found that "average speeds were in line with a 40mph limit in this area.”
The change saw new 40mph signs placed along Thirsk Road as well as a large 40mph sign at the Green Lane roundabout.
It comes as construction gets underway on the new Duchy Homes estate Hall Wood Meadows, which will soon see a range of three bed, four bed, and five bed homes built across 42 acres.
The estate has been years in the making, with an original application submitted in 2018 for approximately 300 homes being refused, then later approved on appeal.
The original plans sparked controversy at the time, with dozens of residents objecting and claims being raised about Yarm being treated as a "cash cow".
Duchy Homes submitted new plans for the layout, scale, appearance and landscaping for 246 properties in August 2022 - with plans for this finally being green-lit back in May.
Fences have been erected at the entrance to the site, with diggers spotted on the ground this week - with prospective residents able to register their interest now.
Councillor Clare Besford, Stockton Council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “As part of planning conditions to create access for a new housing development, the speed limit has been reduced to 40mph on sections of the A67, Thirsk Road, between Crossways Roundabout to link with the existing 40mph limit that runs to the southern side of Kirklevington.
"Speed surveys prior to the changes indicated average speeds were in line with a 40mph limit in this area.”
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