THE opening of a bypass yesterday paves the way for a project transforming the heart of a community.

Residents of Chilton, in County Durham, have waited a lifetime for the £9.1m road, which was first planned before the Second World War.

The 2.3km road was proposed by the Department of Transport in 1939, and a route was incorporated into a council plan to keep the land free from development.

But money due to be spent on the bypass was diverted into the war effort, and it took decades of pressure by councillors and residents to keep the project alive.

With traffic increasing to 18,000 vehicles a day, the A167 split the town centre in two.

In 2003, responsibility for the road's maintenance passed to Durham County Council, and the bypass was included in its five-year local transport plan.

Yesterday's opening allows roadworks to continue to close off West Close, build a new roundabout at the junction of Durham Road and West Chilton Terrace and complete the Durham Road junction at the Rushyford end of the bypass.

It also means that a major improvement scheme can get under way in Chilton town centre this year.

Residents have been consulted over designs for a town square, including new paving and street furniture.

As the first cars were diverted on to the bypass yesterday morning, roads through the town became noticeably quieter.

Town clerk Paul Gray said: "We are seeing the benefits already. It is going to make a big difference. The majority of people welcome the bypass, although a few business people are concerned and some are closing down.

"I don't think the problem is with the bypass. They are hit hard by supermarkets and it is difficult to compete.

"We have new football changing rooms, replacing ones which were demolished, and we expect other new facilities there.

"There is a lot going on in Chilton. The town council and Sedgefield Borough Council see the improvements as part of their commitment to the community."

The single-carriageway bypass is from Rushyford roundabout, at the junction of the A167 and A689, going west of Chilton via West Chilton Terrace and rejoining the A167 at West Close, south of Ferryhill.