MOTORISTS have criticised the Highways Agency for not going far enough with work to resurface the pothole-ridden A66.

The agency confirmed yesterday that a stretch of the road between the Yarm Road Interchange, near Stockton, and Teesside Retail Park would be resurfaced.

But Brian Gregory, the chairman of the Association of British Drivers, who lives nearby in Long Newton, suggested financial constraints meant the agency was only able to carry out limited work.

Mr Gregory said there were far worse sections of the A66 which needed attention and he criticised previous resurfacing work which, he said, had failed to last.

The announcement came as the agency also prepared to start work resurfacing sections of the A1(M) at Bradbury, near Durham City.

Large sections of the A66 between Darlington and Middlesbrough have been damaged because of the freezing weather with a number of significant-sized potholes having emerged in recent weeks.

Mr Gregory said: “The quality of the road is definitely deteriorating.

The Darlington and the Middlesbrough end is quite bad. It is also depressing that it is not that long since they did some resurfacing in that area.

“My suspicion is that it has not been done properly.

“We want something that is going to last a decade or longer, particularly when you consider the huge amount of disruption works like this cause. If they are going to do it again they have got to do it in a worthwhile fashion, so that they do not have to dig it up again in two or three years time.”

He added: “Roads like this are vital economic arteries and ought to be kept in tip-top condition.

“The problem is the Highways Agency is probably up against fairly stark financial constraints at the moment.”

David Lyonette, Darlington Council’s cabinet member for transport, said the A66 was in a terrible state and work was needed urgently.

The Highways Agency said the work, starting on Monday, would be carried out in three phases and would include repairing road gullies and replacing road markings.

There will be speed restrictions of 40mph approaching the roadworks and diversions will be in place. The bulk of the resurfacing work will take place between 8pm and 6am.

The final phase is due to end on March 8.

An agency spokesman said it hoped to minimise any disruption to drivers.

He said there were two further resurfacing schemes on the A66 between Stockton and Darlington, which were programmed for the next financial year.

Work on the A1(M) at Bradbury, will be carried out between 8pm and 6am.

During phase one, from Friday to Sunday, the northbound carriageway, between Bradbury and Bowburn, will be closed. Phase two will start on Monday until February 3 on the Bradbury interchange, so the roundabout will be closed.

Phase three will take place from February 3 to 10, on the southbound carriageway, between Bradbury and Bowburn.

Diversions will be in place.