A major redevelopment of one of Darlington’s busiest roads remains at a stalemate because the council does not have the funding for the project.
Ambitious plans were revealed in 2022 to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on the A68 at the Cockerton and Woodland Road/Carmel Road North roundabouts. Darlington Borough Council said the changes would improve pedestrian safety and encourage more people to walk and cycle in the town. However, three years after the project was first revealed, work has yet to start.
The local authority has not secured the funding to start the redevelopment and is currently restricted until it is received. A recent bid to fund the scheme as part of the Conservative government’s Levelling Up Fund was refused in 2023.
A council spokesperson said: “The scheme is identified in the Local Plan, so we are committed to its delivery. As we have always said, we will continue to progress the scheme design so that it can be delivered as soon as funding is available but at this stage, we do not have the funding so there is no confirmed start date. We will communicate with the public once there is.”
Despite the stalemate, technical work linked to the project continues as the council waits for the go-ahead. The plans were previously revised in response to local concerns with the design of the new road layouts.
Cockerton proposed layout
Other changes to the roads could include a pedestrian crossing in front of Cockerton Library as well as verge hardening on West Auckland Road, to tackle parking issues. Design drawings also show space for designated cycle lanes on the pavements at the proposed double roundabout section.
A family was relocated to another property in the town after planners identified the need to demolish a house at the junction of Woodland Road, Staindrop Road and Carmel Road North to provide space for the improvement works. However, the building is still standing.
The scheme has been assessed by independent highways and traffic modelling consultants who say the remodelled roundabouts are needed in the area and will create sufficient additional capacity for future years without compromising the road network.
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