Several road closures planned for cycle path work

The second phase of work is expected to start to create a walking and cycling route to the town centre

Several road closures are on the cards as work to improve a town's major cycling and pedestrian route gets underway.

The second phase of work to extend a cycle and walking path from West Park to Darlington town centre is expected to start soon.

The work will involved extending from the Hollyhurst Road junction along Woodland Road, to the Tennis Dene.

Drainage improvement work will be carried out ahead of the main work starting, with permission given by Darlington Borough Council for several road closures from 1 October.

The authority said it expected it would be completed within 10 months.

Closures will affect several sections of Woodland Road at its junction with Tower Road, Pierremont Drive, Pierremont Road, Pierremont Bracken, Pierremont Crescent, Bracken Road and Dene Grove.

The council said only one junction will be closed at a time.

Libby McCollom, cabinet member for local services, said the authority apologised in advance for any disruption.

"We have carefully considered what is needed to deliver this work with the minimum amount of impact to residents during construction," she said.

The work is part of the Tees Valley Combined Authority's (TVCA) local cycling and walking infrastructure plan and a firm schedule will be announced soon.