A ROAD improvement scheme has been revealed for one of Darlington's busiest routes.

Work on North Road would include a new junction being built near the B&Q store and a road being constructed behind the store.

It is hoped the road improvements, due to be completed within three years, would ease congestion, which on occasions stretches back into the town centre.

A consultation process was launched yesterday to encourage people who use the road to comment on the plans.

The scheme will cost about £750,000 and will include the removal of two sets of traffic lights on the road at the Albert Road and Whessoe Road junctions.

One junction will be built near Albert Road and the road will be widened to allow filter lanes into the area.

Nick Wallace, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "North Road is probably the most important and busiest road in and out of Darlington.

"The proposed plans aim to greatly improve the flow of traffic and improve road safety for all road users.

"I would encourage all who use North Road, whether they are pedestrians, motorists, bus passengers or cyclists, to look at the plans before we start work on this strategic route."

It is hoped the new road behind B&Q will make it easier for people to get to the store, even though people travelling south will have to drive behind the shop if there is a ban on right hand turns into Whessoe Road. The land where the road would be built is owned by Railtrack and the council will have to acquire it before the plan can go ahead. There are also plans for a new parking bay outside the small shop units on Whessoe Road for customers and staff, and a new roundabout at the top of the road.

Bus companies are working with the council to change their timetables to make them more reliable.

The timetables will take into account the traffic flow in North Road and the congestion that often results in buses being late at peak times.

Divisional traffic manager for Stagecoach buses, Richard Cranmer, said: "Our priority is to ensure that our services are reliable. I welcome the news that plans are under way to improve the flow along North Road. Meanwhile, we will be talking to the council to look at changes to our timetable along North Road, so that service to our customers is improved, particularly in and around peak traffic periods."

People living and working in the area will be contacted in the coming weeks for their opinions on the new road layout