DURHAM County Council is to fund a shuttle bus to help overcome disruption to bus services caused by a highways maintenance scheme in Newton Aycliffe.

Work began this week on the £165,000 scheme to resurface the junction of the A167 with the B6443 Central Avenue in Newton Aycliffe, and the approaches to it.

During this first week of the two-week scheme, the permanent traffic signals will be suspended during the working day, from 9.30am to 3.30pm, to allow work to be carried out under temporary three-way traffic lights.

The permanent traffic lights will operate normally outside of those hours.

Next week however, from Monday, until about 6pm on Friday, county council highway engineers have warned that access to and from Central Avenue will be closed to all traffic to allow the junction area to be safely resurfaced.

Diversions for the duration of the closure will be via St Cuthbert's Way.

As a result, the 723 and 123 bus service will not be able to run through Newton Aycliffe and will also be diverted.

To overcome the problem, Durham County Council is providing a shuttle bus service, to be operated by Scarlet Band Motor Services, to connect with the diverted journeys at Aycliffe Village.

A leaflet giving full details of the shuttle bus timetable is being distributed to homes in Newton Aycliffe and will also be available on the buses.

Further information about the diverted 723/123 service can be obtained via the Traveline on 0870 608 2608.