A major A-road will be partly closed for nine days after highways chiefs announced that roadworks would be taking over it on an evening. 

The A66 near Stockton will start a resurfacing programme on Sunday (October 1), leading to several disruptions for motorists in the area. 

National Highways is carrying out the essential improvements on the eastbound carriageway between Long Newton and Elton. 

Read more: WATCH: Dashcam shows moments of Spennymoor police chase

To enable the work to be carried out safely, the A66 westbound between Boathouse and Little Burdon will be closed for three nights to allow a contraflow system to be installed on the route.

The closure will be in place between 8pm and 6am each night between Sunday, October 1 and Tuesday, October 3.

This will be followed by an eastbound closure on the A66 from Little Burdon to Boathouse on Wednesday, October 4.

The Northern Echo: The A66 near StocktonThe A66 near Stockton (Image: GOOGLE MAPS)

All entry/exit slips and side roads within the affected area will also be closed.  

Then, to keep drivers and the workforce safe while the work takes place, the contraflow will be in place over the following five weekends, 24 hours a day, from west of Long Newton to Yarm.  

This contraflow will be in place from 8pm on Friday, October 6 until the following Monday at 6am. 

It will then be in place each weekend, Friday night to Monday morning, until November 6. 

Each of these weekends will be preceded by a Thursday night eastbound closure between Long Newton and Elton.

That closure will be in place between 8pm and 6am on these nights: 

  • 5 October  (from Little Burdon to Elton)
  • 12 October 
  • 19 October 
  • 26 October 
  • 2 November 

During the closures, traffic management escorts will be at designated points to ensure people can continue to access businesses and residences. 

Fully signposted diversions will be in place.

Sarah Southern, national highways project manager, said: “We have carefully planned the resurfacing scheme and scheduled work to be carried out 24 hours a day across the weekends, to minimise disruption during weekdays. 

Get more from The Northern Echo with a Premium Plus digital subscription from as little as only £1.50 a week. Click here.

“However, we are conscious that even at weekends there are still a lot of vehicles using this stretch of the A66. We are expecting delays in the area at peak times and we ask motorists to plan their routes and where possible use alternatives.  

“We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and understanding as we work to enhance the safety and quality of our road network.” 

Throughout the maintenance scheme, narrow lanes and speed limits will be in place 24hrs a day, and average speed cameras will be installed to ensure the safety of all road users. 

A free recovery service will also be in place on the A66. 

The project is expected to be complete by mid-November.