THE Northern Echo asked members of the public what they thought about the planned improvements to the highways around Darlington, in particular what they thought about scrapping the Haughton through about.

Jamie Barker, 46, student, said: “The through-about used to be terrible. They need to put in extra lanes and it needs to be widened so another roundabout would be good. They’re building more houses so there’s going to be 5,000 or so more residents coming in and Darlington isn’t built for traffic, so more diversions would be better.”

Graham Vasey, 36, said: “To be honest it is a bit of a strange set-up so it’s a shame that they’ve wasted all that money on building it. I mean why did they do it in the first place? A normal roundabout would do, it makes no sense. Although, I can’t see where all the confusion is coming from with it how it is.”

Jamilla Benseghir, 37, full-time carer, said: “I don’t think the through about worked. They should have sorted out a better roundabout in the first place. I think it’s ridiculous that they spent all that money on it instead of asking people’s opinions. Why not speak to the public first before making all the decisions? The money could have been used for something better.”

Jonathan Adams, 56, teacher, said: “I think it’s a waste of time really. They should have planned it better in the first place. The money is better served improving other roads like North Road or something like that. I’ve kind of got used to it, it doesn’t really affect me because I usually avoid it so I rarely drive on it. ”

Maria Rochester, 64, retired, said: “They need to spend more money on the town centre. They should forget the roundabouts. All the shops are empty, the parking is too high, they need to improve the markets. Darlington used to be a fabulous market town. They should keep the roundabouts nice but put money into the town centre to bring people back in.”

Peter Richardson, 26, said: “It worked better as a normal roundabout. Everyone I’ve talked to about it says that it should have been left as it was. It seems like a bit of a waste of money. I live near it so I can’t get out without driving through it. When I started learning to drive I had to get taught how to use it and the first time I was petrified. They should get rid of the traffic lights and make it a more normal roundabout.”

Sophie Wade, 22, said: “I prefer roundabouts because I hate lanes, but I think they should spend money on better things. Like parking, because car parking in Darlington is a pound an hour. I think that through-abouts are hard to navigate which is stupid because it only causes more angry drivers and more controversy.”

Lucy Metcalfe, 25, staff nurse, said: “The council should have asked the public’s opinions before doing anything because they’ve already spent loads of money changing it once and now they’re changing it again. Why can’t the council make their mind up?”

Simon Metcalfe, 25, technician, said: “It’s not like they haven’t done it before. It used to be a roundabout before it became a through about. They shouldn’t be wasting more money. I know they re-did some of the roads in the town centre but they should have just kept it as a roundabout in the first place.”