'Patriotic' £12k roundabout redesign divides town
BBCA row has broken out over the decision to spend £12,000 redecorating a town roundabout with flowers planted in the shape of St George's flag, surrounded by golden gravel.
Durham County Council (DCC) is overseeing the transformation of the A167 roundabout in Chilton, but Labour MP Alan Strickland criticised the lack of consultation with residents.
The town council "strongly disagreed" with the plans due to the expense, while resident Sharon Goodchild said the redesign should have focused on the "real heritage of being a pit village".
DCC's planning manager Stephen Reed said points raised by Chilton council were considered but it was decided the proposal delivered "clear improvements".
The project is being funded by £9,540 of Section 106 money, earmarked to benefit the community from nearby housing developments, as well as approximately £2,500 from DCC.
Reform county councillor Stephen Bowron said the roundabout would become a "recognised landmark", showing the passion the people of Chilton had for their country.
He said: "I went out to resident groups in Chilton, with about 70 people, and they all agreed for the proposal to go ahead.
"Chilton has finally got a bit of a landmark to show our patriotic pride to follow up the fabulous mural we have in our village."
The mural in the town, which has a population of about 4,500 people, shows a soldier standing in a field of poppies.
Bowron said he hoped the roundabout would show locals were proud of where there came from.
He defended the cost of the roundabout redesign, saying the Section 106 money needed to be spent by May or it would have been returned.
'£12,000 is too much'
Goodchild, who has lived in Chilton for 26 years, said she did not believe the roundabout should have been designed to be patriotic as she felt "that is only for a selected few and Chilton is now a multicultural town".
She said: "If other funding becomes available it should focus on Chilton's true heritage as a mining town, a massive stone carving saying 'Welcome to Chilton' or a miner's carriage would be great.
"£12,000 is too much for a roundabout."
Goodchild had suggested wildflowers were planted around the roundabout and believes more consultation should have been carried out with residents.
The Labour MP for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor, Alan Strickland, criticised DCC for failing to consult locals on the money spent redecorating the structure.
"This is yet another sign that our Reform-led council are completely unserious about how they spend our money," he said.
Chilton Town Council disagreed with the estimated £12,000 proposal when consulted in November 2025.
A spokesperson said: "We did not feel that it was a good use of S106 funding, it could be better utilised to benefit Chilton residents.
"We would prefer to see this funding directed to community projects that improve essential infrastructure and address the current challenges our community faces."
Reed said: "Any community group can apply for Section 106 funding, and, at the time, this scheme was the only submission.
"As a result, the money had to be allocated as there was a risk it would be returned to the developers.
"Had another proposal been submitted, that would have also been considered."
