Motorists are being urged to plan alternative routes and allow more time for journeys while an essential programme of works is carried out near Spennymoor.
The work, which is linked to the DurhamGate development, will involve closing the A688 both east and westbound near Thinford from 6am on Saturday March 31 and for five days. During this period it will also be necessary to close the adjacent lay-by off the A167. (see below for diversions)
The closures are necessary to protect the safety of both the workforce on site and the general public and have been planned in discussions with the police. While the road is closed works will include the construction of a new traffic island, completion of drainage schemes, kerbing, surfacing and road marking programmes.
Cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, Cllr Neil Foster, said: “While we are aware that this will be inconvenient for the short period of the closure the most important thing is to protect the people carrying out the work and ensure drivers are safe too.
“DurhamGate is a very exciting development which will bring new jobs, housing and business to our county and it is essential the right infrastructure is in place to ensure the best possible start for the project.
“I would like to thank everyone in advance for their patience.”
Diversions – The alternative route available to vehicles during the A688 road closure will be from the western side of the A167 southwards to A689 Rushyford roundabout then eastwards along the A689 over Bradbury Interchange to Sands Hall roundabout on A177 at Sedgefield then northwards along A177 to A688 Tursdale roundabout to the eastern side of the closure and vice versa.
Additional diversion routes will be signed from A1(M), A688 Coundongate and A167 Sunderland Bridge/Croxdale via the above diversion route.
The closure is part of the £8.5m road improvement scheme being carried out as part of the wider DurhamGate project, which will see a new housing, retail, leisure and business development on a 55-acre former industrial site on the outskirts of Spennymoor.
The roadworks, are not only essential to the DurhamGate development but will also reduce traffic congestion and bring improved access to the nearby Green Lane Industrial Estate and to Spennymoor town centre.
The wider DurhamGate project is expected to bring nearly 3,000 new jobs when it is fully completed as well as creating construction jobs and training opportunities during the work.
Along with new retail and leisure developments, including shops, a restaurant, a pub and an 80-bed hotel, there will also be 376 new homes built as part of the scheme.
