A major A-route through Middlesbrough town centre will close overnight this weekend for essential roadworks.

The A66, in both directions, will be shut from 7pm on Saturday, March 9 and will reopen on Sunday, March 10 at 10am.

The closure is in place to allow essential structural works to the A66 Station Viaduct close to Middlesbrough Railway Station.

Road users are being urged to plan their journeys and consider alternative routes where possible, including the A174 Parkway, A1053 Greystones Road, and A1053 Tees Dock Road.

Eastbound, the road will be closed from the Newport Roundabout through to the Marton Road Interchange, close to Cineworld.

A local diversion route will be fully signed and take drivers via Newport Roundabout, Ironmasters Way, Riverside Park Road, Dock Street, Vulcan Street, Priestman Road and Shepherdson Way.

Traffic will rejoin A66 eastbound at the Middlehaven Interchange at North Ormesby and from the Marton Road Interchange.

Westbound, the road will be closed from North Ormesby through to the Hartington Interchange.

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The westbound diversion route is via Borough Road and Hartington Road. Traffic from A172 Longlands Road will be unable to join the A66.

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: “The A66 is one of Teesside’s busiest roads and it is essential that the network is maintained.

“The Council has worked with the contractor to avoid the busiest periods for traffic to cause as little disruption as possible, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”