A proposed road that has been assigned a quarter of TVCA’s £1bn transport fund is to be consulted on yet again. Potential routes for the Darlington Northern Link Road are scheduled to go out for consultation in mid-July, but a previously favoured route has been chopped from the process.
Attempts to create a new road have been ongoing for a decade, with route option studies dating back to 2016. The project aims to create a “new strategic link” better connecting the A66 to the A1(M), according to TVCA, with the new road set to relieve congestion on the A1150 and A167.
“Perfect” route
The latest development has brought some unhappiness, with Darlington Conservative Councillor Andy Keir, highlighting that the previously chosen “perfect” route is now not included in the latest selection process.
Speaking at this month’s TVCA overview and scrutiny committee meeting, Whinfield ward Cllr Keir said people in his area are “scratching their heads” as to why the route is no longer available. This route would have bypassed the A1150 and A167 and connected the A66 Little Burdon roundabout with junction 59 of the A1(M).
Tees Valley Tory Mayor Ben Houchen said there was a “different” situation today compared to when the original consultation took place.
It was reported last year that the scheme was under review, with a longlist of options confirmed earlier this year. The 250mn assigned for the project is part of the Tees Valley’s £1bn transport fund, which is to be used between 2026/27 and 2031/32.
A bypass is needed
Cllr Keir told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he is against any of the routes that are now being considered as none of the alternatives serve as a bypass, as they all merge with the A167, meaning that there would be a “pinch point” on that road. He said he is “asking questions” as to why the original route has been taken out. Cllr Keir added everyone “wants a bypass” and thinks one is “needed”.
At June’s overview meeting, Mayor Houchen said that the Department for Transport will not sign off on a project unless “it adds value” and other strict technical requirements. Mayor Houchen said he had received advice that DfT will not sign off on the original route, “because of the water that has gone under the bridge since that original decision”.
He said one of the major issues between the original consultation and now is that Darlington Council has adopted a masterplan for the north of the town. Within that masterplan, the council has agreed “significant road infrastructure”. As a result, DfT would potentially reject a “much bigger, more expensive road”, when the council has agreed a road that is going to be installed as part of the masterplan.
Mayor Houchen said this meant a return to “square one” of where the road could go and what it could look like, with the options appraisal including the original route. Now, two favoured routes will be reduced to just one, following consultation, and this will be recommended to DfT.
During the meeting, Cllr Keir said: “It doesn’t take away from the fact that we need a bypass, and that road if it goes anywhere other than up to the roundabout up the top end [A1(M) junction], is not a bypass. All you’re doing is shifting traffic from one side of the gridlock to the middle of the gridlock and I think it’s ridiculous.”
Consultation is set to get underway this July and Mayor Houchen said National Highways will not grant access from Cllr Keir’s “preferred option” onto the motorway, so it cannot be included in consultation, as it is not deliverable.
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