COUNCILLORS have been told a decision to spend an additional £2.6m on essential repairs to Newport Bridge was taken using urgency powers.

Stockton borough's full council meeting heard how the cost of the repair work had spiralled from £1.6m and 17 week project to a £4.6m scheme which is not expected to finish until the new year.

As a result of the delay in finishing the works on the 80-year-old Grade II listed structure, the council has changed the way the work is being done.

The amended project will see a large scaffold constructed which will allow the A1032 to fully reopen so motorists can use the road while the repairs take place. Strong winds delayed there-opening of the road until Wednesday (October 29).

A report before the authority's full council meeting outlined the causes of the delay in completing the work in the original planned time.

It also highlighted that one of the main contributing factors to the extent of the damage to the key link road over the River Tees was the reduction in the maintenance budget for the bridge. It read: "Historically the bridge has been painted on a cycle of eight to ten years but this has now been considerably exceeded."

The decision to use the Urgency powers and go ahead with the work through the winter period was agreed by senior members of the authority including council leader Bob Cook and the cabinet member for regeneration and transport, Mike Smith.

However, concerns have been raised that the repainting of the bridge is taking place over the winter period by Hartburn councillor, Ken Lupton, leader of the Conservative group.

"I know hindsight is a wonderful thing but I'm surprised that anybody would delays in the work so far were caused by inclement weather, " he said. "In the winter period, I think there will be further delays in the contract. I wonder if it would not be better starting again in the spring and not continuing with the bridge repair programme as it is?"

Criticising the possible damage to the council's reputation as one of the reasons for not delaying the repair scheme, he added: "The reputation of this council has been damaged because of the congestion on the roads that has occurred already."

Council leader Bob Cook reassured members that the winter weather had been factored into the new expected completion date of spring 2015.

He said: "The programme has been re-profiled with the contractor to take into account the inclement weather."