A North East MP has called on the Transport Secretary to help secure funding for an improved route through the town.

Peter Gibson, MP for Darlington, has called on Mark Harper for help securing funding for the Northern Link Road to the town.

The project is estimated to cost £160 million and a further £10 million for North Road Station improvements.

A Northern Bypass would see a connection between Junction 59 on the A1 and Great Burdon on the A66. 

Currently, traffic is forced to come through Darlington in places like Whinfield and Harrowgate Hill.

Since he was elected in December 2019, Peter Gibson has raised the issue multiple times in Parliament.

The proposed improvements to the station could include improved seating, better disabled access routes and restoration of the canopy. 

Speaking in the House of Commons Peter Gibson MP said "I welcome the almost £1 billion that the Tees Valley has received from Network North.

"What advice can the Secretary of State give to me to ensure that Darlington receives £160 million for the Northern Link Road and £10 million for North Road Station?"

Responding the Secretary of State Mark Harper MP responded by praising Peter for his championing of transport in Darlington and confirmed that the North Tees Combined Authority will be able to allocate that money to these projects.

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North Road Station in Darlington has been criticised for being inaccessible, heavily vandalised and untidy.

Mr Gibson has brought together key partners in the area such as Network Rail, Northern Railway, Historic England, The Auckland Project, Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership, Darlington Borough Council and the Tees Valley Combined Authority in hopes improvements can be made.

Darlington has already been awarded £139 million for Bank Top station improvements and an additional £35 million to create a Rail Heritage Quarter.