THE brakes will continue to be put on motorists using the A66 in and out of Teesside - while safety work is carried out on a bridge.

Speeds on the A66 between Middlesbrough and the edge of Stockton have always been restricted to 50 mph, but the limit has now been extended to include the Yarm Road Interchange, near Preston Farm.

It was revealed last night, the extension will last for a few months. That is the length of time it is going to take to replace and install aluminium parapets on the fly-over.

Overnight repair work has been carried out on the road this month following the discovery of cracks in the base of the supports of the parapet fence. Concrete barriers have been put in place to form temporary parapets until the new ones arrive.

A spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said: "Essential work has been carried out, but the parapet is going to be replaced within the next few months.

"We are waiting for the parapets to be replaced: that 50 mph will be in place in the meantime.''

The temporary barriers are being kept in place until the repair work has been completed, ensuring that motorists can continue to use the bridge in safety.

The Highways Agency is reminding motorists to keep their distance as nose-to-tail collisions occur more frequently when roadworks are in operation.