The Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) has opened a public consultation on plans for a major new link road connecting the A66 and A1(M) around the north of Darlington.
The consultation offers three options and runs until 25 September. The TVCA said the proposed route would tackle high levels of freight traffic travelling through residential areas, as well as road safety and congestion.
What the options involve
One principal option is a "do minimum option" consisting of a single carriageway from the Little Burdon Roundabout. The TVCA also outlined an "even more ambitious option" with multiple routes designed to improve resilience.
The authority said the "do minimum option" could remove more than 10,700 vehicles per day from residential roads and make journeys two-and-a-half minutes faster during peak periods.
What happens next
Conservative Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said no decisions had yet been made, including on whether the project would go ahead.
Houchen said: "Darlington's road network plays a crucial role in connecting people to jobs, education and opportunities, but we know there are longstanding challenges that need to be addressed."
The consultation can be completed online. In-person events will be announced soon. All responses will be independently analysed and carefully considered. Feedback will help inform decisions on whether a link road should be progressed and, if so, which route option should be taken forward for further design, assessment and development.
