THE costly stalemate over what to put on signs for a renamed airport could be broken this week.

Officials from Durham Tees Valley Airport wanted to spend tens of thousands of pounds on signs to replace old ones bearing the Teesside Airport name.

But the airport's plan was shot down by officials from the Highways Agency who feared the name would confuse motorists.

They said the Durham Tees Valley name could make some drivers believe they were heading for Durham City, 26 miles away.

They immediately vetoed 60 new roads signs until an alternative could be found, leaving old signs to advertise the new name.

Now the agency has put forward a solution to the stalemate, which entails using no mention of the new name.

Instead Highways chiefs want to use a symbol of a plane to direct travellers to the airport.

The Highways Agency will replace signs on the A1 to the north and south of Darlington and on the A66 near Yarm.

Other signs on lesser roads will be replaced by councils, which would be expected to take their lead from the Highways Agency.

But Richard Whitehouse, commercial manager at Durham Tees Valley Airport, said: "We do understand that the Highways Agency wants to use the airplane symbol and no words, but as far as I am aware negotiations are on-going and we are still looking at a number of options."

The cost of replacing the 60 signs across the North-East and North Yorkshire has been estimated at £250,000.

At first Peel Airports, the majority shareholders in Durham Tees Valley Airport, wanted some public money to help pay for the change.

However the company has now agreed to meet the bill.

Stockton Councillor Mike Cherrett, whose Preston ward covers the area close to the airport, said: "I think this sounds like the best option, considering the length of the new name.

"I just hope people realise where they are and follow the picture to take the correct turning."

Fellow councillor John Fletcher said: "I suppose this is the only answer, to have a picture of a plane on the new signs.

"Other countries have overcome lengthy names and given them abbreviations, such as the Baltimore and Washington Airport, now known as BWA. Hopefully, we can overcome our long new name one day.

"If this is the decision then let's get on and do it and stop confusing travellers.

"As soon as they get used to the name and the new signs the better."