Hidden convenietly in a lay-by, this makes for an easy cache and dash.
The A167 was originally part of the old A1 Great North Road, until it was re-routed in the 1960's. Travel along the road to the north you go through Durham and arrive at Newcastle upon Tyne, and to the south Darlington and Northallerton.
Newton Aycliffe itself has a history that can be traced back to Saxon times when it was known as 'Acley' - ('Ac', meaning oak, and 'ley', meaning 'a clearing').
In more recent times Aycliffe was a key element in World War II ammunitions manufacturing. The marshy land was ideal cover against the Luftwaffe as it was almost continually shrouded in fog and mist. Huge grass covered munitions factories were built and serviced by the nearby railway lines. The factories were largely staffed by women (in their thousands); these ladies were dubbed the "Aycliffe Angels", who braved incredible dangers inside the factories.
One interesting fact about Newton Aycliffe is that there are no Streets (i.e. no places of residence with the suffix 'street'.). The main road which runs through the centre of the town is 'Central Avenue'. There are many Roads, Closes, Crescents and even a Parade. In the older parts of the town the streets are named after Bishops of Durham and Saints: Van Mildert (road); St. Aidan's (walk); Biscop (Crescent). Some are named after prominent local families such as Shafto (way), Eden (road), and Bowes (Road) for example. Some are even named after the movers and shakers of the New Town Movement such as Lord Lewis Silkin (Silkin Way) and Lord Beveridge (Beveridge Way).