Darlington roads to be closed for weeks for gas mains work

In January, several routes will be sealed off or partly closed to motorists, with diversion routes in place. 

From Tuesday, January 2 until Tuesday, January 23, McMullen Road will be closed in one direction with no access from Yarm Road, as Northern Gas Networks carry out mains replacement work.

A diversion will be in place along Yarm Road, Lingfield Way and Allington Way.

Access to Malim Road will also be affected.

Work will then move to Yarm Road and there will be multi-way signals in place for around two weeks at the junction of Aldi, and then the signals will move up to the junction of Estoril Road with a road closure on Teal Road for two weeks.

This work has been worked out between Northern Gas Networks and Darlington Borough Council and will see motorists diverted from one side of Darlington. 

These closures will allow contractors to work on the road surface for three weeks and then further works on Yarm Road for several weeks. 

Despite the impact on traffic, this isn't the only road closure that will be taking place in Darlington at the start of next year. 

Smithfield Road in the town, which runs underneath railway tracks, will be closed from January 8 for 25 weeks to allow the bridge to be demolished and a rebuild job to start. 

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Signs confirming the work, which was expected to last until May 31, 2024, were spotted on Smithfield Road and nearby roads, with drivers and pedestrians who use that route having to find an alternative way into Darlington. 

It's believed that this project from Network Rail is part of the extensive Darlington Train Station scheme, which will be running until Spring 2025. 

Darlington Station’s £150million overhaul will include two new platforms on the Eastern side of the station, and a new car park, when complete in 2025.