VITAL repair work in a street is to exceed estimated costs.

Environmental improvements to Scott Street in Shildon, County Durham, originally estimated at £30,000, are almost complete.

But after meetings with Durham County Council Highway Authority, members of Sedgefield Borough Council's executive committee were told further engineering work needed to be done.

A review of costings identified a cash shortfall of between £3,000 and £12,000 for the extra work. The repairs to Scott Street are part of the New Shildon Initiative, which will improve areas in the town seen to be in a bad condition.

Questionnaires were sent to residents of the street, asking what they wanted to see done, and further meetings saw calls for traffic calming measures and improvements to street lighting, footpaths and road surface.

Support was also given for a one-way system, which will see traffic entering from Redworth Road directed on to the by-pass.

A report presented to executive committee members stated there was a need for extra gullies, paving work, and the possible replacement of existing drainage, as well as road narrowing at both ends of the street.

The committee agreed to continue supporting the scheme allocating the money needed, which could eventually cost between £33,000 and £42,000.

Town councillor for the Scott Street area, Frank Timmiss, said the money has been well spent. He said: "Most of the things wanted by the residents are well on the way to being completed. The scheme is one of the ways that we are trying our best to make the area better.