HIGHWAYS engineers have begun work designing a £1.4m bypass for Crook.

Durham County Council says the bypass scheme will open up development sites around the town, provide relief from traffic for the town's residents and traders, and ease congestion in the Market Place.

It follows a successful bid for Government funding to help regenerate the west side of the town.

The route of a bypass for Crook has been identified in the Wear Valley local plan for many years.

Proposals for the scheme were submitted to the Government by the county last year.

A positive response and contributions and involvement from a number of partners have provided money to allow the scheme to proceed.

The proposed route of the bypass runs south from a new roundabout on West Road, near the football ground, along the line of the former railway, to Prospect Road, which is to be widened.

A new roundabout on New Road could replace the existing T-junction.

The road will accommodate right turns for T-junctions at Prospect Road and for access to a proposed development on the Eclipse site.

It will also provide relief for houses in New Road and reduce traffic flows through the Market Place, which is being refurbished.

The county council's director of environment and technical services, Chris Tunstall, said: "The bypass scheme is recognised as a key element in securing economic and environmental benefits for the whole of Crook and is an important part of the long-term regeneration strategy for the town."

A planning application for the bypass is expected to be submitted soon, possibly next month.

A large scale drawing of the preliminary scheme will be on display at Crook Civic Centre between June 25 and July 6.

A formal consultation programme will be held as part of the planning process.