Questions over £14m road project ‘breach’

Residents living near the £14.4m Darlington Eastern Transport Corridor have called in an ombudsman to investigate their concerns.

The ombudsman has drafted questions, which have been sent to Darlington Borough Council.

An investigation was launched in August when complainants said the project breached planning regulations.

Work continued after officials said the route did not breach of planning permission.

But campaigners have demanded to know why a 300-yard section next to Coombe Drive, on the Red Hall estate, had been laid higher than expected.

The ombudsman has asked for the plans, the planning officer's reports, as well as asking questions.

They include whether the road height has increased, by how much and what action the council has taken.

The ombudsman also wants to know whether the increase has been approved, how were the amendments approved, what the council policy on the amendments is and how the impact on residents has been taken into account.

The ombudsman has also asked for answers to other concerns about traffic lights and roundabouts, the road's route and nearby electricity pylons.

Cyril Johnston, 74, who lives in Goodison Way, on the Red Hall estate, said: "I don't know how much power the ombudsman has got.

"We are convinced they have built it higher. This is our last throw of the dice.

"He has asked for all the plans.

There are some good questions there. This is how we stand at the moment.

"We hope they bring the road down to the ground as they originally said.

"The people building it say that cannot be done, but if that is in the plans, that is what should happen."

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said: "We have received questions from the ombudsman.

We will study these and provide detailed answers to the ombudsman in due course."

Work on the 1.8-mile single carriageway, which aims to reduce congestion in the town, started last January.

It is expected to be open in April.