IT has taken more than ten years to complete and for much of that time it stood alone on wasteground attracting ridi-cule, but yesterday the so-called Bridge to Nowhere finally opened to traffic.

The bridge, which was officially opened by Transport Minister Tony McNulty, forms part of the £31m road link between Stockton and neighbouring Ingleby Barwick.

The two-mile stretch of road, which has an interchange with the A66, has been named the 1825 Way, after the date of the opening of the route of the Stockton and Darlington Railway - part of which it follows.

The opening of the road has taken place a year ahead of schedule and represents one of the last stages in the South Stockton Link Road.

This is in sharp contrast to the bridge section which was built in 1994, but which hit funding problems, leaving it stranded on wasteland and earning it its unfortunate nickname.

Mr McNulty, who performed the ceremony only yards from where the first rails were laid for George Stephenson's railway, said: "The Bridge to Nowhere, which has stood alone for so many years, will now have an important role to play in the smooth operation of this road."

Mr McNulty also praised the environmentally-friendly measures that went into the construction of the road.

No earthworks were removed from the site and 20,000 tonnes of landfill was recycled into the contours of the scheme.

Stockton Borough Council and Birse Civil Engineering have both received environment awards for their efforts.

Bob Cook, Stockton council's cabinet member for regeneration and development, said: "Congratulations must go to the engineers and contractors who worked on this project.

"They have delivered a much-needed road within budget and ahead of schedule while working to minimise disruption and the impact on our roads."