New estate road closure plans spark anger

The closure is to construct a new junction to allow access to the site

Plans to close a key road for three months as part of the construction of a controversial new housing estate have sparked anger.

More than 800 homes are being built on the Long Field site in Marske, Teesside, despite protests from some local groups.

From January, Longbeck Road will be shut to allow for work on a new access junction, a move a councillor has described as "problematic" for local businesses.

Developers Taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes said the roadworks had been approved by the council and were "in line with the planning requirements".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that Marske councillor Dr Tristan Learoyd had requested at least one lane remain open and claimed the council and developers "didn't give a damn".

He said the closure would be "problematic" for businesses when locals were already facing uncertainty from "colossal, unsustainable" housing developments in the area.

A spokesman for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said shuttle working and traffic controlled signals were "impractical" for the planned roadworks due to space constraints, while the proximity of a railway crossing added further highway safety risks.

The housing firms had wanted to begin the alterations at the end of September, but this was refused since the local planning authority did not want a closure potentially running into the festive period.

He said: "January was agreed as a suitable alternative [and] warning signage will be in place in the first week of December, which will provide sufficient notice to the public.

"The works will be monitored and the council will continue to work with the developers to reduce the impact on the highway network wherever possible."

The housing plans initially sparked a number of protests, with the council's decision to refuse outline planning permission overturned by a government planning inspector.

There were then calls to halt it following a number of archaeological finds.