MAJOR work to part of the north Durham road network, which has caused massive problems for residents and businesses, is not likely to be finished until the end of the year.

When work started last year, authorities hoped the £2.4 million scheme to replace the Victorian railway bridge at Leadgate, near Consett, would be completed by mid-2016.

But Durham County Council has confirmed the scheme is about six months behind schedule, and people will be forced to continue to use lengthy diversions as the road, which links the village with Villa Real, is to remain out of action.

Durham County Councillors Alan Shield and Watts Stelling, who represent the Leadgate ward, issued a statement, saying the project has been "beset with complications causing delays from day one".

They said: “We, the local councillors, are extremely concerned that the extended closure of Villa Real Bridge is contributing to the ongoing commercial problems being experienced by the tradespeople in Leadgate village due predominantly to the loss of passing trade.

“We have requested that Durham County Council provide some financial grant support to prevent the closure of any of these commercial businesses.

“Local councillors regularly provide the community and residents of Leadgate, who have been extremely patient and tolerant of these delays, with regular updates on this project and understand their frustrations with the original project timescales of six to eight months being extended by nearly 12 months.”

Problems have included legal issues, which caused months of delays, contractors and utility companies unable to start work when required, as well as the discovery of soil and clinker in the ground.

The one way bridge, which dates back to 1896, is being replaced with a straight carriageway to allow two-way traffic.

Crossing islands will be installed so pedestrians and cyclists, including those using the Coast-to-Coast route, can cross and new bus stops will be created.

BT engineers, whose work included laying fibre optic internet cables, took three weeks longer than expected.

A spokesman for the firm said: “While delays of this nature are not unusual in civil engineering jobs of this size we are very sorry for any additional inconvenience this has caused to the local community.”

Adrian White, Durham County Council’s head of transport and contract services, said, as well as problems with contractors and utilities, ground investigation work meant the project has been delayed further.

He said: “As with many towns and villages in County Durham, material such as spoil and clinker leftover from the area’s industrial past is prevalent beneath the ground.

“As a result we have been forced to make changes to the road layout proposed in the scheme to take into account this material remaining on site.”