A NORTH-EAST council says it was not consulted about £14m plans for a relief road.

Durham City Council says Durham County Council's announcement last week, that it is looking at a route from the A690 to Aykley Heads in a bid to cut congestion, came out of the blue.

Councillor Fraser Reynolds, cabinet member for the environment, said the two authorities were looking at how Durham might develop, but a report on accessibility had not yet been received.

"I find it unfortunate that the county council has not seen fit to involve any of its partners before making this announcement.

"It makes a mockery of the whole consultation process."

He added: "The high cost of the road, plus the environmentally sensitive issues surrounding its route, are matters that deserve extensive debate.

"Until we have the basis for these discussions, which may be available in the forthcoming report, it is difficult to accept the claims regarding traffic reduction.

"If the county is serious in its spirit of partnership, then I hope that urgent discussions will follow over this controversial pronouncement."

But county council leader Ken Manton said the announcement should not have come as a surprise.

"The principle of a northern relief road is contained in the city council's own local plan and has been part of the county council's transport plan for Durham City since 1997."

He said the county was only examining the feasibility of one possible route and there would be full consultation "once there was something to put on the table to discuss''.

The City of Durham Trust has expressed concern about the possible environmental impact of the proposed road