A NEW £6.2m road expected to help economic regeneration in County Durham looks set to win planning approval.

The Wheatley Hill to Bowburn link road has been planned by Durham County Council and won Government funding last year in the council's five-year Local Transport Plan.

The road will run from a new roundabout on the B6291, south of the A1(M) interchange at Bowburn, to a roundabout at Cassop Moor.

The council said the development will complete the network of primary roads between the A1(M) and the A19, at Wingate; will remove lorries from unsuitable local roads; and "assist in economic regeneration by improving access to Central and East Durham''.

It would also provide a route for lorries heading to a proposed rail freight depot, at Tursdale.

On Wednesday, the council's planning committee will be recommended to grant permission for the road.

If all goes to plan, work is expected to begin on the project in the late summer.

A report to councillors says that Durham City Council and parish councils in the area have raised no objections to the plans.

The Highways Agency is not objecting but has "some reservations about the potential impact of the link road on the operation of the A1(M) trunk road and junction near the site".

Two letters of objection from the public have been received. They came from the same household and raise concerns about disturbance during construction and the impact of the new roundabout on the B6291.

Two letters in favour of the road have been received and express support because the road will divert heavy traffic from Bowburn, improving road safety.

The scheme entails building a bridge over the road leading to Quarrington Hill; improvements to the C12a road from Cassop Moor, and removal of partially-worked coal seams under a short section close to the B6291.

The council's head of planning John Suckling said the road would have some impact on the appearance of the open countryside and amenities of the area.

However, he said: "These would be localised and contained and need to be viewed within the context of wider community and economic benefits including the removal of heavy traffic from local roads.