WORK is due to start next Monday on a £165,000 road maintenance scheme in County Durham.

Durham County Council highway engineers warned last night that the work, which is likely to take two weeks to complete, will require road closures, traffic diversions and may cause inconvenience to motorists.

The scheme, which starts on Monday will involve resurfacing the A167 just north of its junction with the B6443 Central Avenue, at Newton Aycliffe, for a distance of about 700 metres towards the south. The junction area and its slip roads will also be resurfaced.

A 40mph speed limit will be introduced on the A167 in the vicinity of the works, which will also be carried out under the following temporary traffic management arrangements:

During the first week, beginning on Monday, the permanent traffic signals will be suspended during the working day, from 9.30am to 3.30pm, to allow work to be carried out under temporary three-way traffic lights.

The permanent traffic lights will operate normally outside those hours.

The following week, beginning Monday, September 29, access to and from Central Avenue will be closed. Traffic on the A167 will operate under two-way traffic lights from 9.30am to 3.30pm, but the road will be open to two-way traffic outside those hours.

Diversions for the duration of the closure will be via St Cuthbert's Way in Newton Aycliffe.

Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles, and bus companies will run altered services.

Durham County Council's director of environment and technical services, Chris Tunstall, said: "We shall do our best to minimise the impact of the works."

Anyone experiencing problems during the works is asked to telephone (01388) 602028.