THE idea to build a cross-town route in Darlington was first mooted in the 1970s.

Town planners realised that, as traffic increased, a scheme would have to be introduced to relieve congestion in the town.

The plan was for a fast road, to cut through the heart of Darlington, to link the A66 to the A1(M) north of the town. It was designed so that traffic to and from Teesside using the A66 would no longer go through Darlington town centre and residential areas.

Yesterday's announcement, that £5.5m is being made available for the scheme, means that the first phase of work can get under way on the newly-named Darlington Eastern Transport Corridor.

This first stage of road, known as Edward Pease Way, will run from the Barton Street area of Haughton Road across to the A66 bypass, close to Morton Park.

Darlington Borough Council says the scheme, which is aimed at significantly reducing traffic in Haughton Road and Yarm Road, could start in 2002 and be completed in 2004.

The authority already owns most of the land involved in the scheme, but said compulsory purchase orders would be needed to acquire the rest of the land.

Because this stretch of road will run very close to the route of the old Stockton and Darlington railway, the council is keen to take advantage of its historical significance, and is planning to upgrade the track bed to improve walking, cycling and horse-riding opportunities.

The building of the road could also pave the way for a new business park, near Morton Park, which could bring hundreds of jobs into the town.

Darlington council leader John Williams said: "The road will provide enormous traffic relief to Haughton Road and Yarm Road, shorten journey times and open up further opportunities for new businesses and jobs in Darlington."

The full cross-town route may take a further 20 years to complete, because stages three and four, which would link this new road to Faverdale and the A1, would be much more complex and require further Government funding.

Department of Transport: www.detr.gov.uk