£3m payout to improve state of town's roads

Details of Darlington's local transport plan settlement were announced today by the Government as part of a five- year, £19.5m deal to improve highways and transport in the borough.

The money will allow the council's highways team to put into action maintenance plans, traffic management schemes and transport initiatives, including help with bus travel, pedestrian and cycling schemes.

News of the funding comes on the same day that the Government's Best Value review criticised the state of the roads in the borough.

Audit Commission inspectors spent two weeks in Darlington assessing the quality of roads and car parks.

Mike Hannon, Best Value Lead Inspector acknowledged the poor condition of the 303 miles of road inherited by the authority when it took over responsibility from Durham County Council in 1997.

He said: "The quality of roads in Darlington is poor. While it is recognised that many of the problems have been inherited and that the service has some positive features, plans to improve need to be more robust if the service is to get substantially better."

The council said the condition of its roads is improving.

Results from the recent community survey reveal customer satisfaction levels with the condition of roads and pavements show the greatest improvement of all council services.

Results from the first technical survey into the condition of roads in Darlington show the number of highways needing urgent attention has been reduced by 20 per cent in two years.

Councillor Nick Wallis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "In 1997 we inherited roads in very poor condition, but the money is now coming through from the Government to help us make significant improvements. Our work on roads and road safety measures is beginning to make a difference

"We still have much work to do, but the money confirms the Government's confidence in the way work is progressing in Darlington.