Initial work starts on A68 roundabout upgrades in Darlington

Initial investigations of a busy section of the A68 in Cockerton are taking place to help council officers prepare a planning application for the scheme. 

The local authority says the plans to create new roundabouts at Cockerton and Woodland Road/Carmel Road North will improve traffic flow and reduce congestion, improve pedestrian safety and hope they will encourage people to walk and cycle.

The plans were first revealed in January 2022 and included several public consultation events to gauge local opinion but received a mixed response, with the council later making changes following dozens of complaints. 

An existing aerial photo of Woodland/ Staindrop Road when the plans were revealed in January 2022 (Image: Darlington Borough Council)

Other changes to the roads could include a pedestrian crossing in front of Cockerton Library as well as verge hardening on West Auckland Road, to tackle parking issues. Design drawings also show space for designated cycle lanes on the pavements at the proposed double roundabout section. 

A detailed planning application is due to be submitted following the work. It comes after residents speculated the roadworks could be in doubt due to a lack of action - but the local authority soon shut those claims down and said it’s fully committed to the scheme. 

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A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said: “We’re digging a series of trial holes as part of site investigation work which will help in the detailed design of the scheme.  There’s still a lot of work to be done before a detailed design is finalised, but once it is, ward councillors and local residents will be informed before any planning application is submitted.”

An existing aerial photo of Cockerton when the plans were revealed in January 2022 (Image: Darlington Borough Council)

A former family home was selected to be demolished as part of the plans to provide space for the improvement works at the junction of Woodland Road, Staindrop Road and Carmel Road North. 

The scheme has been assessed by independent highways and traffic modelling consultants who say the remodelled roundabouts are needed in the area and will create sufficient additional capacity for future years without compromising the road network.