Driving ahead with £3.3m road improvement schemes

A major highways project on Yarm Road is nearing completion, with resurfacing work starting on Friday (10 May).

The work will take place in three phases and overnight to minimise disruption.

The improvement work to McMullen Road roundabout will increase the capacity of the roundabout with the creation of two lanes on the approaches and around the roundabout.

This scheme is part of a wider programme of improvements in the east of the town in response to the growing economy, including expansion at Cummins, additional jobs being created at EE and new jobs at Symmetry Park associated with the logistics fulfilment centre which opens later this summer.

In addition McMullen Road roundabout creates the access to Ingenium Parc, Darlington’s latest industrial site development.

More than £3.3m has been made available for the projects from the National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF), following a successful bid to the Department for Transport in 2017.

The wider programme includes a new signalised junction at Lingfield Way/Yarm Road, a new cycle route along Lingfield Way and changes to the throughabout on Haughton Road.

A scheme at the Morton Palms/A66 junction has just been completed and has already provided improved traffic flow through this junction.

The first phase of resurfacing will start on Friday 10 May on Yarm Road, McMullen Road roundabout and Salters Lane.

Phase 2 starting on Thursday 16 May will see the resurfacing of McMullen Road between the junction with Malim Road and McMullen Road roundabout, and the access/egress of Yarm Road Retail Park. Access to Salters Lane will be maintained.

Phase 3 starts in the week beginning Monday 20 May on McMullen Road, between Malim Road and Lingfield Green and is due to end on Friday 24 May.

Road closures will be in place between 7pm hours and 5.30am during these works.  Signed diversions will be in place.

A council spokesman said: “We apologise for any inconvenience and disturbance caused throughout the duration of these important works and thank drivers for their patience.

“These works will ultimately improve traffic flow on our roads and support Darlington’s economic growth going forward.”