STREETS will be closed in the Darlington area next week to allow a layby to be built and roads maintained.

Darlington Borough Council said some of the streets could be closed for up to 18 months from next week.

Streets affected include Houndgate and North Side footway from the eastern side of Beaumont Street junction eastwards to its end.

It is expected to be closed from 7am on Monday, October 3 to midnight on Sunday, October 9.

Alternative routes will be signed via Beaumont Street, Beaumont Street West, Elwin Lane, South Arden Street, Victoria Road and Feethams.

Blackwellgate on the south side, from the east side of Grange Road junction eastwards to Houndgate will be closed from midnight Monday, October 9, to Sunday, October 23.

All alternative routes will be signed via West Street, Victoria Road and Feethams. However, Houndgate and Bull Wynd are entirely closed.

Beaumont Street from its junction with Feethams westwards to its junction with Beaumont Street West will become one-way, for a maximum of 18 months.