WORK on a £60,000 scheme to improve safety for pedestrians and schoolchildren in Darlington has begun.

The borough council is spending the cash on laying a footpath under the bridge in Cleveland Street, in the Albert Hill area of town.

Pedestrians have previously had to climb steep steps to walk under the bridge.

The path will result in a reduction of road space under the bridge and traffic flow will be controlled by traffic lights.

Work is expected to take about four weeks to complete. The road will be closed to traffic and pedestrians on Saturday and Sunday.

Green Bus service 18 will continue to operate, following an alternative route.

Nick Wallis, the council's cabinet member for highways, said: "The walkway under the bridge at Albert Hill was not suitable for all pedestrians.

"Through laying the footpath and introducing traffic control measures, the route will become safer and more accessible to all."