TRAFFIC lights at a ground-breaking but controversial roundabout will be turned off this week during roadworks.

Resurfacing works along a main route in Darlington will start on Tuesday, October 27, and continue for the rest of the week.

The works on Haughton Road, Darlington, start from 9.30am and are due to continue until Friday depending on weather conditions.

Although the work is only for a stretch between Eastmount Road and Russell Street, outside Bannatyne's Health Club, traffic lights will be turned off about half-a-mile further out of town.

Two-way and three-way temporary traffic lights will be installed on the junctions at Eastmount Road and Russell Street.

As a result, permanent lights at the throughabout at the end of the Eastern Transport Corridor, will be turned off. As will the lights at the Vicarage Road junction for the council depot and Darlington College.

The throughabout will be signed and coned off to operate as a normal roundabout during this period.

Earlier this year, councillors and businesses in the area of the throughabout called for a review of the junction.

It combines features of a normal roundabout but also with a road running across the middle of the roundabout between the town centre and Eastern Transport Corridor.

Council officers said they were reviewing the situation and conducting traffic surveys.

During this week's roadworks, pedestrian crossings linked into these junctions will be out of operation.

The works have been programmed during half term to minimise the impact on students and pupils of Darlington College and schools in the area.