WORK is due to start on a £4m road system in the heart of Stockton town centre.

It is hoped the one-way system, east of the town centre, will improve traffic flow around the town and provide access to the riverside location of the multi-million pound Northbank development.

The system will also aims to ease congestion and reduce accidents at the Church Road roundabout and Riverside Road's junction with Council of Europe Boulevard.

Work will take about 15 months and, while the phasing of the programme has been designed to limit any disruption, Tees Valley Regeneration will keep residents and businesses fully informed about what is happening.

A drop-in event has been organised to allow people to speak to representatives from Tees Valley Regeneration, Stockton Borough Council and the contractor Wrekin Construction.

It will be held at Stockton Baptist tabernacle on Monday from 11.30am to 7.30pm. Individual businesses affected will also have the chance to discuss their concerns.

In the scheme, Maritime Road will become a dual carriageway and access to and from the Portrack area of the town will be via a one way system. Sarah Robson, project director for Tees Valley Regeneration said; "The start of these road works is a major milestone for the Northbank project.

"While delays for road users are inevitable in the short term, all partners are working together to minimise disruption. The end result will be a huge improvement for Stockton as well as opening up access to the exciting Northbank site."

The road improvements are being carried out on behalf of Stockton Borough Council and are funded by English Partnerships.

Northbank will include new homes, a hotel, restaurants, a public plaza, along with educational facilities.