WORK is due to begin tomorrow on a scheme to improve County Durham's busiest roundabout.

The main phase of the work is a £500,000 project to redesign the Millburngate roundabout, in Durham City.

The roundabout is used by more than 40,000 vehicles a day and takes traffic from most approaches into the city. But it also has the worst accident rate of any junction in the county.

In the past four years, there have been 37 accidents.

It is to be re-shaped, with traffic lights installed on all approaches.

The bottom of Framwellgate Peth is to be widened and pedestrian crossing points provided.

Facilities for buses and waiting passengers will also be improved. Work on the scheme is expected to last until Easter.

Durham County Council has warned that although it has chosen the quietest time of year to carry out the work, the fact that it is such a busy junction will inevitably mean some disruption.

Councillor Bob Pendlebury, Durham County Council's cabinet member for transport and the environment, said: "There is no good time to carry out major works at such a busy and important junction.

"But the period leading up to Easter has been identified as the least worst option.

"A lot of thought has gone into construction methods and the phasing of works to minimise the disruption to traffic, but inevitably there will be some," he added.

"We apologise in advance for any inconvenience these works may cause, but we would ask people to be tolerant.

"We are confident that the long term benefits will outweigh the short term disruption."