New options unveiled for Darlington Link Road

A Tees Valley infrastructure project is progressing with fresh proposals aimed at easing congestion and boosting regional connectivity.

New options have been outlined for the proposed Darlington Northern Link Road, a key route designed to connect the A66 with the A1(M).

The updated study reflects changing conditions since earlier proposals, including rising construction costs, new housing developments and shifts in traffic patterns following the pandemic.

The road aims to ease congestion on existing routes, particularly the A1150 and A167, while improving journey times for drivers and freight.

A shortlist of potential routes (see map below) has been identified from an initial 12 options, with distances ranging from four to 14 miles.

Currently, this includes the following routes on the map: Route 1C, 2, 2A, 3 and 4.

A more ambitious road option, stretching towards the A1(M) either near or at Junction 59, will also be explored and considered.

A public consultation on the preferred routes is scheduled for early summer, giving residents and stakeholders the opportunity to shape the final plans.

An outline business case is expected to follow later this year, setting out the next stage of the project.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “A new link road in the North of Darlington is vital. 

“For far too long, the town has carried HGVs and bumper to bumper traffic at peak times, thundering through largely residential areas. 

“This link road is long overdue and is needed for the sake of the town and the growth of our entire region.

“If we want to see jobs and investment continue to come to Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool then it’s vital we have the right infrastructure to be able to support this, and I’m determined we see the project through to completion.”

Councillor Steve Harker, Tees Valley Combined Authority cabinet member for transport and infrastructure and leader of Darlington Borough Council, added: “The Tees Valley deserves a road network that provides fast and effective connections to the motorway network.

“We will continue to support and push for the ambitious plans and options that deliver a high standard road from the Port to the A1.

“We need ensure this massive investment from Government opens opportunities across all the Tees Valley and solves, once and for all, the issue of unsuitable levels of strategic traffic and HGVs running through residential areas.”

The full options report can be viewed here.

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