Only one lane of a main road from Stockton to Darlington will be open this weekend, to allow for roadworks. 

The A66 Stockton-Darlington will be in contraflow - meaning that there is only one lane each way on the westbound carriageway. 

National Highways said this is due to the road surface on the eastbound carriageway showing signs of wear and tear and "requiring attention".

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Resurfacing work will take place across five consecutive weekends with the preceding Thursday nights:

  • 8pm Thursday 5 October – 6am Friday 6 October. Overnight Eastbound closure from Little Burdon to Elton. 
  • 8pm Friday 6 October – 6am Monday 9 October .24hr weekend Contraflow west of Long Newton to Yarm junction.
  • 8pm Thursday 12 October – 6am Friday 13 October. Overnight Eastbound closure from Long Newton to Elton.
  • 8pm Friday 13 October – 6am Monday 16 October. 24hr weekend Contraflow west of Long Newton to Yarm junction.
  • 8pm Thursday 19 October – 6am Friday 20 October. Overnight Eastbound closure from Long Newton to Elton. 
  • 8pm Friday 20 October – 6am Monday 23 October. 24hr weekend Contraflow west of Long Newton to Yarm junction. 
  • 8pm Thursday 26 October – 6am Friday 27 October. Overnight Eastbound closure from Long Newton to Elton. 
  • 8pm Friday 27 October – 6am Monday 30 October. 24hr weekend Contraflow west of Long Newton to Yarm junction. 
  • 8pm Thursday 2 November – 6am Friday 3 November. Overnight Eastbound closure from Long Newton to Elton.
  • 8pm Friday 3 November – 6am Monday 6 November. 24hr weekend Contraflow west of Long Newton to Yarm junction.

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Resurfacing work will recycle the lowest layers of the A66 carriageway which reduces the carbon impact and lay new material for the upper layers. 

A spokesperson for National Highways said: "While we recognise that a full weekend of resurfacing work can be very disruptive, it does mean that we can complete the work more effectively by working days and nights. 

"This will minimise disruption during the week and employ carbon-saving techniques."

All entry/exit slips and side roads within the closure will also be closed, with access maintained to businesses and residents via traffic management escort at the closure points.

For the duration of the work, reduced narrow lanes and speed limits will be in place with average speed cameras installed for safety. 

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While weekend resurfacing is taking place on the eastbound carriageway, the road will be placed into contraflow on the westbound carriageway.   This means that the eastbound and westbound carriageways will be reduced to a single lane. 

Traffic from the eastbound carriageway will then be diverted onto the westbound carriageway.  The westbound carriageway will have 1 lane running in each direction. 

The contraflow will start west of Long Newton junction and end west of Yarm junction.

All eastbound slip roads at Long Newton and Elton junctions will be closed during the contraflow. Signed diversions will be in place. 

Westbound traffic will be able to use entry and exit slips - but National Highways has requested that motorists use an alternative route where possible.

Nartional Highways said: "A full closure of the A66 westbound from Boathouse to Little Burdon will be required to set up and remove the contraflow at the start of work on Friday night (approximately 8-9pm) and at the end of work on Monday morning (approximately 5-6am).

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"The contraflow will be suspended during the working week to avoid congestion on the A66, although the cylinders along the centre line will remain in place.

" This means you will not be able to change lanes where the cylinders are present. 

"If you wish to use westbound exits at Elton or Long Newton or access any facilities on the westbound carriageway, Monday through Friday, you will need to be in Lane 1 in advance of Yarm junction."