Residents and businesses have once again hit out at the roadworks causing traffic chaos in Darlington, with one business saying it is forcing customers to turn away.
The roadworks were recently slammed by residents on social media with one person arguing the council had “dug up every road at the same time.”
Nearly every major road into the town is undergoing roadworks including Woodland Road and the A167 at Beaumont Hill.
Councillors have argued that this is the “best time to do it” as it is “not hugely affecting the traffic the way it would when the schools are on.”
However, residents have been left questioning whether there are “any roads left in Darlington open to car drivers.”
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Darlington business, The Pasta Shop, say the works being done on Woodland Road have been an “absolute shambles” and many customers have been forced to turn away.
A staff member for the business stressed that there had been multiple near misses, two crashes and one death because of the chaos.
The added: “Who's watching these workmen? Why is it taking so long? Firstly they remove all crossing islands and lights without a safe alternative.
“This road is already plagued by HGV's and noise pollution from emergency services. God only knows why they haven't completed it section by section instead of zig-zagging across the road. Now they are digging parts of it back up!''
The roadworks are set to continue onto Outram Street and Duke Street, something The Pasta Shop argues will only create more “disruption to the public and more importantly the local businesses.”
They added: “On our section of Woodland Road we were told back at the end of March that work to renew the pavement outside the shops would begin, so we closed for that week.
“When we returned after a week of closure the work hadn't even started. Move onto May and work starts on the drop kerb.
“Which was left unfinished for 2 weeks and wasn't completed until we complained to the council. These are very trying times for businesses and things like this don't help.
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“Why couldn't the work have been done when during lockdown in 2020 when construction was still allowed to commence?''
Another Darlington resident has hit out and the works as well, arguing that it is “very difficult to get through them” due to all the delays.
Tony Hull, who lives on Whinfield Road, added: “I agree that the roadworks need to be done but there’s a limit to what they should do.”
“The main issue that people have a go at the council for at the moment is it causes a lot of traffic problems.
“Whatever road you go down at the moment you encounter roadworks or if not roadworks then a closed road.”
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Mr Hull drives an HGV and has stressed that it is too narrow to drive down.
He said: “I’m in a massive vehicle and the cones are really narrow and it’s a nightmare.”
“I understand that cyclists feel safe with the lanes and they’re building more so you can guarantee that there will be roadworks there as well.
“I agree with safety but it has to be agreed by both sides.”
He continued to stress that he also had a big problem with cyclists, arguing that some don’t “obey the rules of the road.”
He added: “Many cyclists that are out there are obeying the rules but I’ve seen two or three go through red lights.
“It’s not just cyclists and motorists it’s the whole way this country is turning into, everyone is being coddled.”
The council also don’t look at the bigger picture, Mr Hull continued to argue, saying that they close one main road and find they need to do work on another main road close by.
He added: “You can shout at the council as much as you want but they won’t back down, they’re just going to do it and make any excuse they can.
“I agree that during the holidays is the best time to do it but plan it better.
“If you start doing roadworks all at the same time you’re guaranteed to have problems.
“I just find it infuriating, I really do, they don’t look after the roads anyway.”
Andy Keir, Darlington Council's cabinet member for local services, said: "We have entered the final phase of work on Woodland Road which involves 11 nightshifts, to minimise disruption, to complete the carriageway and cycleway resurfacing.
"There is one set of lights on during the day as we complete works close to Hollyhurst Road junction with all safe pedestrian crossing points now open.
"We thank everyone for their co-operation and patience during these works on one of the town’s major routes.”
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