A Darlington road will now remain closed for another eight weeks for bridge construction.

Smithfield Road has been closed most of the year as Network Rail carry out bridge construction work.

Darlington Borough Council have stated that work is now expected to be completed by November 7.

On their website Network Rail say that they thank locals for their patience as they know closing Smithfield Road is "inconvenient".

A spokesperson said: "Our teams are working hard to complete the rebuild of the railway bridge which takes trains over Smithfield Road to the south of Darlington station.

"This is part of the track layout improvements so more trains can serve Darlington station in future. This work has been taking place all year and our revised target is to get all of this work complete so Smithfield Road can reopen under the railway on Thursday, November 7.

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"We’d like to thank road users and pedestrians for bearing with us as we know closing a road is inconvenient and impacts moving around your local area, and that this has taken longer than we had at first hoped."

A Darlington Borough Council spokesperson said: "Smithfield Road will remain closed until Thursday, November 7 as Network Rail continue their work to install a new bridge.

"Signed diversions remain in place."