A 1KM stretch of road described as the missing link for Ingleby Barwick was due to be officially opened yesterday.

Myton Way, a £1.3m link road, also includes cycle ways, footpaths, bridleways and an underpass.

Construction of the single carriageway road began in May after Stockton Council and housebuilder Persimmon Homes agreed to bring the scheme forward from its original start date of 2005.

Contractor, Hall Construction, completed the work to budget and two weeks ahead of schedule. The cost of the road has been met by Persimmon Homes.

Myton Way provides a link between the centre of Ingleby Barwick and the South Stockton link road, connecting with Preston Farm industrial estate, the A66 and Stockton town centre via Queen Elizabeth Way and the Jubilee Bridge over the Tees.

Coun Bob Cook, Stockton's cabinet member for development and regeneration, said: "Not only will it make journeys easier for local people, it will also reduce traffic on other roads as traffic is dispersed away from residential areas."