DRIVERS are being warned to expect delays, following the start of work to replace a congested roundabout with traffic lights.

Improvements to Darlington’s inner ring road began on Monday (Febraury 17), with expected to take up to a year.

The start of the work has coincided with the school half-term holidays, meaning rush-hour traffic has been lighter than normal.

More serious delays could become a factor as the work progresses.

Darlington Borough Council is replacing Stonebridge roundabout, which is often the root cause of hold-ups, with traffic lights.

The council believes the pending Feethams Leisure development, which includes a nine-screen cinema, bars and restaurants, would add extra pressure on the junction.

The first phase of work involves the creation of extra lanes on the approaches to Freemans Place roundabout.

For updates on the scheme, visit darlington.gov.uk/transport/stonebridge