THERE was relief for motorists in the region yesterday with the news that disruption on the A66 is to end.

The daily reduction to one lane on the A66 eastbound road near the Stockton centre turn-off is due to finish this evening.

Two lanes have also been narrowed on the A66 for the past year but that will also end tonight.

However, there will still be occasional off-peak lane closures, expected to continue until next spring.

Stockton Borough Council is working in conjunction with Birse Civils on the South Stockton Link Road project. The scheme will eventually include rail tunnels and a 35 metre single-span bridge.

The current phase of development has affected the A66 between A135 Yarm Road interchange and the A1045 Thornaby Road interchange.

Disruption in Bridge Lane, Stockton, and the Riverside roundabout in the town will also continue.

The cost of the current phase of development will be £18m.

Further extensions to the link road, designed to ease congestion from Stockton to Ingleby Barwick, are planned for next year.

The total cost of the work will be £31m.