Disruption warning ahead of major roadworks

All approaches to the Rushyford roundabout will be widened to three lanes

Drivers face months of disruption during a major project on a main route in County Durham.

Work has begun in Newton Aycliffe to increase road capacity on the A167 at the Central Avenue and Ricknall Lane junctions and the A167/A689 Rushyford roundabout.

Durham County Council said diversions will start later this month, and work is scheduled to be completed later this year.

The changes will help plans to develop 1,400 new homes on the Low Copelaw site, the local authority said.

The council, led by an alliance of Conservative, Liberal Democrats and Independents, said vegetation and tree removal works are already taking place near the Central Avenue junction.

Construction work will then start, followed by work on the Rushyford roundabout and Ricknall Lane junction.

'Keep traffic moving'

The Central Avenue works will introduce a new link road providing access to the future housing site, as well as a traffic light-controlled entry and pedestrian crossings.

New traffic lights will also be introduced at the Ricknall Lane junction, along with new pedestrian crossing facilities.

Layout changes will be made to the Rushyford roundabout, with all approaches widened to three lanes.

Councillor Elizabeth Scott said: “Though these kinds of improvements are needed to ensure we can keep traffic moving in the long-term, we very much appreciate that they will inevitably cause some disruption in the short-term."

The council also plans to plant nearly 1,000 trees, hundreds of shrubs and hedgerows as part of the project.