Controversial plans to create two new roundabouts on a busy Darlington road have been revised after dozens of complaints – but the council insists the new scheme is necessary.
A new report highlighting the changes made to a proposed scheme to upgrade a busy section of the A68 in Cockerton has been released after extensive period of public consultation.
A reduction in size of the two roundabouts, a better preservation of green space and improved pedestrian access are among the most significant changes to the plans, however many suggested the scheme should not progress at all.
But Darlington council says the plans for the A68 Cockerton and Woodland Road/Carmel Road North roundabouts will improve traffic flow and reduce congestion, improve pedestrian safety and to encourage people to walk and cycle.
Read more: Darlington residents have their say on A68 roundabout plans
Hundreds of residents responded to the plans in January, which included two in-person consultation events, with the authority only now revealing their revised plans for the scheme.
A pedestrian crossing could be created in front of Cockerton library as well as verge hardening on West Auckland Road, to tackle parking issues.
The scheme has been assessed by independent highways and traffic modelling consultants who say the remodelled roundabouts are needed in the area and will create sufficient additional capacity for future years without compromising the road network.
The council says the aim of the scheme is to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion, improve pedestrian safety and to encourage people to walk and cycle. The scheme is still subject to planning and funding applications are still to be made – there is no proposed date for any work to start.
Councillor Andy Keir, cabinet member for local services, said: “We had an excellent response to the consultation process and the highways team have spent months working through the comments and reconsidering elements of the scheme as a result.
“We have taken forward a number of suggestions, in particular with regard to pedestrian safety and reducing the overall size of the remodelled roundabouts to reduce their impact on the existing green spaces.
“Projects on this scale don’t come along very often and it’s a chance for us to improve one of the busiest commuter routes in the town, while also future-proofing the network. It is another step in our long-term plans to tackle congestion across the town, while also offering improved networks to encourage people to travel by bike or on foot.
“There is still work to be done to get this scheme off the drawing board but I’m confident it will be a success.”
The full report can be viewed here.
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