Drainage works planned to prevent further flooding on the A66 at Long Newton (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Drainage works planned to prevent further flooding on the A66 at Long Newton

6:16pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in News By Vicki Henderson, Darlington reporter

A STRETCH of the A66 that was forced to close three times due to flooding last year is to be improved by the Highways Agency.

Work to improve the drainage system under the A66 at Long Newton, between Stockton and Darlington, will start on March 4 and continue for most of the month.

Additional pipes will be laid under the road increase the capacity of the drainage system, which Highways Agency engineers hope will prevent a repeat of the flooding incidents that closed one of the busiest roads in the region three times last autumn.

Heavy rainfall on to the saturated fields next to the road led to days of flooding that was cleared after the Highways Agency brought in pumps to take away the water.

Initial work took place in December to carry out repairs to the existing drain, which was damaged during the flooding events.

The new drainage work will take place 24 hours a day with lane closures on both carriageways and a contraflow put in place. A 50mph speed limit will be in force for the duration of the work.

Highways Agency project manager, Andrew Brown, said: “This drainage improvement scheme will increase the capacity of the drainage system along the A66 at Long Newton and will increase the agency’s resilience to future flooding.

“During the work we advise road users to plan their journeys to avoid delays. Safety is our top priority and for the safety of road users and road workers we encourage all drivers to drive carefully through the works, keeping within the speed limit, and concentrating on the road ahead.”