INVESTMENT in Darlington’s schools, housing and community facilities will continue despite the recession, council chiefs have vowed.

Darlington Borough Council's cabinet this week discussed plans to inject £155m into the authority’s capital investment programme.

The money will fund a range of maintenance and improvement schemes designed to improve transport and traffic and schools and housing throughout Darlington Borough.

Work already completed includes:

*increasing the road capacity at 'pinch' points at Haughton Green, the A68 at Burtree Lane, and a 20mph zone at St Teresa's School; *the re-modelling and refurbishment of Hummersknott School;

*new premises for Eastbourne Academy, now St Aiden’s Academy;

*improvements and modernisation to classrooms, kitchens and buildings at schools throughout the town;

*roofing improvement to homes in Middleton St George and Heighington;

*the completion of maintenance in homes at Firthmoor, Neasham and Haughton;

*central heating upgrades with new boilers for 89 properties, as well as bathroom upgrades and re-wiring.

At the council’s cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening, council leader John Williams said the investment was a welcome boost for Darlington residents, but warned of tough times ahead.