PLANS for a £750,000 scheme to ease traffic congestion and improve safety on one of the main routes through Darlington have entered a critical phase.

A month-long public consultation exercise comes to an end this weekend, with Darlington Borough Council facing criticism from North Road residents about the controversial proposals.

The authority wants to carry out a radical upgrade of the A167 - the former Great North Road - in Northgate, High Northgate and North Road. The route currently takes a huge volume of traffic and leads to the A1 motorway.

Council bosses say their plans would enhance safety for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists, as well as reducing journey times.

But residents have made their objections known, saying the plans could create more problems than they solve.

Measures include new bus lanes, closed or restricted access to some streets, new crossings and reduced parking. But North Road resident John Ogden is one of many to raise concerns about a bus lane outside his house, meaning he could not park there from 7.30am to 6.30pm.

"I am registered disabled and if I can't park outside the front of my house, then where can I park? Everyone would be parking in the side streets, so that would be difficult," he said.

The council said 60 people had responded to the public consultation, with "a variety of opinions".

A spokeswoman said: "The consultation finishes this weekend and anything posted by residents that arrives early next week will still be considered."

All information received would then be discussed by highways officials, together with ward councillors and cabinet members, she said.

A decision on how, or if, the plans can proceed will be taken by the end of the year.

Information is available on the council website at www.darlington.gov.uk

To comment, write to the development and environment department at Hope-town House, Brinkburn Road, Darlington DL1 6ED, or e-mail nrconsultationdarlington.gov.uk