DRIVERS approaching temporary traffic lights may have done a double take at a misspelt road sign.

The temporary signage, which has now been removed from the A167 North Road, on the outskirts of Darlington, told motorists to drive in “singel file”.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council, the local highways authority, said the sign had been put in place by sub-contractor Premier Traffic Management, based in Tudhoe, near Spennymoor, County Durham.

Premier director Gary Mansell said the misspelling could have been caused by a typing error when the wording for the sign was entered into a computer.

Mr Mansell said there was also the possibility that a mischievous passer-by could have altered the sign by hand.

The council spokeswoman said: “We have highlighted the misspelling on the sign to them and have been advised that it will not be used again.”