HIGHWAYS England has confirmed the planned six-week closure of a junction on the A66 trans-Pennine route has been reduced to two weekends.

The roads agency had intended to close the junction at Smallways – between Barnard Castle and Scotch Corner - for resurfacing work, from Monday, September 7 to Friday, October 23.

However, local businesses said a six-week closure would force them to shut down and labelled the suggested diversion routes as dangerous.

Last week, Richmondshire District councillor Jamie Cameron said campaigners felt confident the closure could be reduced following a positive meeting with Highways England.

And yesterday (Wednesday, September 9) the latter confirmed the closure would be limited to between 8pm on Friday, September 18 and 6am on Monday, September 21, and between the same times from Friday, September 25 to Monday, September 28.

The plans include resurfacing about four miles of the westbound carriageway between Smallways and Greta Bridge - resulting in the closure of the Smallways junction - as well as repairing some of the signs as part of a two-phase project.

Diversion routes for side roads affected by the contraflow system are planned to go through Newsham, Barningham, Scotch Corner and west of Bowes.