DEVELOPERS under fire over delays in providing a vital new road link say they have submitted plans for the bridge that will provide the much needed connection to the north of Northallerton.

Campaigners have protested over delays to providing the new road to the north of Northallerton between the A167 Darlington Road and the A684 Stokesley Road due to be built as part of a 900 home development which has been underway for three years.

A Taylor Wimpey North Yorkshire spokesman said: "A discharge of planning conditions application has been submitted for the link road and bridge works, for which we are hoping to receive approval from Hambleton District Council in February. We are currently awaiting tenders from contractors in relation to work on the bridge, with a view to making an appointment next month, February, and, all being well, we anticipate works will commence in spring.

"We will be keeping residents and the council updated on progress and will share a detailed programme of works as soon as this has been finalised with the contractor."

Campaigner Tony Webster said: "This does seem to be all very overdue, why has it taken so long to bring forward the planning application, was that not part of the initial scheme and should have been ongoing work. We still have a sign that says link road opening in spring 2020 when there is no chance of that.

“We need Taylor Wimpey to tell us when the bridge is going to actually be open. And it still means that we have not got a traffic management plan for the town which is what we really need. We are looking at traffic chaos while work is carried out on the Treadmills site. We still have major issues at either end of the town at the railway level crossings. This should all be worked in together as part of an overall plan.

“The town deserves a serious traffic scheme which will really help solve the problems.” Another resident said: "Stage two needs full consultation before final approval as it represents overloading the current road network."