Road delays for Teesside motorists

The road carries 65,000 vehicles a day

Motorists using the A66 between Stockton and Middlesbrough can expect delays from Monday as the second phase of one of the region's biggest traffic schemes gets underway.

It involves the construction of a major interchange for the Thornaby by-pass, and the work will be going on until March 2004.

Half the £35m cost is being spent on a massive interchange with the A66 dual-carriageway.

At the moment 65,000 vehicles use the road daily, with as many as 5,500 an hour at peak times.

'Great benefits'

A £1m concrete flyover will act as a feeder road onto the new intersection, taking through-traffic into the centre of Stockton.

It will cross over the dual-carriageway A66 and nearby railway tracks.

Lane closures will be kept to a minimum but there could be congestion at peak times.

Mike Robinson, of Stockton Borough Council said: "It is predicted the new section will carry 22,000 vehicles a day.

"That will offer great benefits to the people of Stockton."