MORE problems could be on the way for Bishop Auckland motorists after improvement works in the Market Place moved on to the next stage.

Durham County Council closed the road between the Town Hall and the Market Place shops yesterday, cutting off access to the disabled parking bays opposite the hall and installing two way traffic lights behind the building.

Alternative disabled parking spaces are in North Bondgate and the Newgate Centre Car Park where charges apply.

The council are realigning the road to provide extra space for events and market stalls in front of the Town Hall and strengthening and repaving the area with high quality materials similar to those laid in nearby Fore Bondgate.

They expect work to finish by the end of March, before both the town’s food festival on April 17 and the replacement of Station Bridge, at the south end of Newgate Street, from March 29.

Chris Myers, the council’s town centres development manager, apologised to motorists and said that everything was being done to minimise disruption.