MORE work needs to be done in Darlington to prevent congestion on the western side of the town, Conservative councillors have said.

Darlington Borough Council's Conservative group has welcomed plans for work to start on the long-awaited Eastern Transport Corridor.

However, the group has said the authority needs to start planning for congestion relief on the western side of town.

Earlier this month, the council announced it had secured funding for the £12m Eastern Transport Corridor project, which aims to link Haughton Road and the A66.

The project, which was first proposed in the 1970s, has been delayed for several years as costs have risen.

Councillor Jim Ruck, the Conservative group's transport spokesman, said: "Local Conservatives welcome confirmation of the budget for the Eastern Corridor and urge the council to set a date for construction to begin.

"Now attention needs to switch to finding a solution to congestion on West Auckland Road and North Road."

Coun Ruck said traffic had been slowed by increased development and a failure to upgrade the road junction at the A66 and A1. Without a north exit at the A66, all northbound A1 traffic needed to travel through residential areas, he said.

He added: "The council wants Faverdale to be a key warehousing and business district, but this worthwhile policy requires proper investment in the local roads.

"This has failed to materialise or be planned for.

"Radical solutions need to be considered including re-timing traffic lights, eliminating choke points and tackling badly sited bus stops."

A Darlington Council spokesman said: "Like every other town and city in the country, Darlington has congestion on its roads at peak times.

"The council is looking at a wide range of measures that could be implemented across the town and, only a fortnight ago, secured more than £12m from the Government for the Darlington Eastern Transport Corridor.

"Work is expected to start in November on the project, which will provide a vital link from Haughton Road to the A66, helping to cut congestion on the key routes of Haughton Road and Yarm Road, as well as opening up new development and employment land."