PLANS have been revealed for a £1m scheme that will improve transport links to a North-East business park, potentially creating thousands of jobs.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced today the government will fund the scheme to improve the A68 at Rotary Way Roundabout in Darlington.

It forms part of a package of road improvements that will allow access to one million square feet of business land in Faverdale, and will see the construction of up to 1,200 homes in the West Park Garden Village.

The Northern Echo understands the project has the “potential” to create 5,000 jobs, including 1,500 involved in the development of Faverdale Industrial Estate and other roles associated with the construction of the new homes.

The Darlington site was one of four road improvement funding schemes in the country announced by Mr Grayling, and the only one in the North-East.

The first part of the scheme, due to commence in 2017, will be a new slip lane on the A68 approaching Rotary Way roundabout from junction 58 of the A1(M), which will aim to ease congestion into Darlington and enable vehicles to travel more easily into the industrial area.

This will be followed by a new link road from West Park onto Newton Lane and improvements to the roundabouts at Cockerton.

Councillor Bill Dixon, leader of Darlington Borough Council and chair of the Tees Valley Combined Authority transport committee said: “It’s great that the secretary of state has recognised Darlington in this round of investment.

"This scheme is one of only four in the country, and the only one in the North, and it will have a huge beneficial impact on jobs and business in Darlington.”

Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington Borough Council cabinet member for leisure and local environment and Transport said: “This investment from Highways England is fantastic news for Darlington.

"The package of measures that we have planned will help manage congestion whilst unlocking our ambitious targets for housing and jobs growth."

The Northern Echo understands the new road access will feed into the Darlington Local Plan, which was announced earlier this year

Darlington Borough Council planning services manager Steve Petch outlined plans that could shape the town and surrounding areas over the next 20 years, including the building of 10,000 homes and the creation of 6,500 jobs.

The construction of 1,200 new homes in West Park Garden Village will form part of the 10,000 the council are planning over the next two decades.

The Darlington Local Plan included proposals for development at Faverdale East Business Park, as well as Central Park, Feethams and Morton Palms.

During discussions with local stakeholders in July, Mr Petch said the new jobs could be in advanced manufacturing, chemicals and energy, health and logistics.