Works which will see a main route into Newton Aycliffe from the A167 closed until Spring will start within days.

Plans for improvements at the junction between Central Avenue, a main artery into Newton Aycliffe, and the A167, were agreed upon last year and work will start on July 15.

Once complete, the T junction will be replaced with a crossroads, also serving the other side of the A167 where the North-East Centre for Autism at Aycliffe School is based.

The work is expected to be completed in the Spring.

Physical changes to the current road will include two lanes southbound on the A167; a two-lane exit from the Copelaw allocation; a separate right turn into the Copelaw allocation; a new right lane to allow movements from Central Avenue to the Copelaw allocation; and signal-controlled pedestrian crossing across all arms of the junction.

The junction is proposed to serve a future housing development with up to 770 homes due to be built by 2035 and then a further 630 in the future. A new primary school and community facilities in the form of a local centre are also proposed for the site.

Durham County Council said: “The work at the A167's Central Avenue junction will provide a new link road providing access to the future housing site and a traffic light-controlled entry, improved pedestrian crossings and road resurfacing. This junction will be closed from July 15, 2024, while we do this work.”

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Meanwhile the junction with Ricknall Lane, about 1km south, will also be closed from mid September while new traffic lights, improved pedestrian crossings and a new road surface are installed.

Current works ongoing at the Rushyford roundabout at the northern end of Newton Aycliffe are expected to be completed in August.

It means motorists could face a month with disruption at two of the main routes into the town.