IT has been hailed as a landmark development for employment and the environment, yet the Darlington Eastern Transport Corridor has spent years coming to fruition.

The proposed cost of the project has more than doubled since it was first suggested.

However, today's announcement that Darlington has secured funding for the Eastern Transport Corridor should finally see the completion of decades of wrangling.

The idea for a cross-town route was first suggested in the 1970s.

Planners realised that, as traffic increased, a scheme would be needed to relieve congestion in the town.

The corridor was initially part of a larger plan that aimed to provide a cross-town route from the A66 to Faverdale.

However, that idea was shelved and the remaining plan to link the A66 with Haughton Road remains.

In 2000, it was included as a £5.5m scheme in Darlington Borough Council's five-year transport plan.

At the time, it was suggested work on the corridor would begin in 2002 and be complete in 2004.

The scheme runs near the old Stockton and Darlington railway track.

Although the borough council owned much of the land, compulsory purchase orders were made on land owned by businesses including Rothmans, TM Ward, Lingfield Properties and several farmers.

In April 2002, the plans were approved by the borough council.

Construction was then said to be starting in December 2003, with the road opening in 2004.

Last year, the North-East Assembly requested funding from the Government for the corridor and a £450m "wishlist" for transport schemes in the region was submitted in January this year.

In February, the Liberal Democrats requested an investigation into five North-East road schemes, of which the corridor was one, where costs had soared.

Lib Dem spokesman Tom Brake said: "There should be an immediate freeze on the roads budget until we get to the bottom of these cost rises."

However, the Department for Transport said local authorities were responsible for cost overruns once the schemes had gained Whitehall approval.

Last month, the Road Users' Alliance said convoluted planning procedures were holding up six road schemes, including the corridor.

Maggie Pavlou, the president of the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: "A raft of schemes have been identified as priorities - some as long ago as 15 years - but have yet to get started.

"This illustrates that getting Government backing for a scheme is only the first hurdle. Getting them to deliver on their promises without delay is far more difficult."