A £2.3m scheme to resurface a stretch of the A66 on Teesside will begin next week.

The work, between the A135 Preston Farm industrial estate junction and Elton will begin next week, will result in a lane and junction closures throughout the coming weeks.

The project was delayed so it didn't clash with the closure of Newport Bridge while essential maintenance work is carried out.

Highways Agency project manager, Shaun Cullumbine, said: “We need to remove up to 400mm of road surface and reconstruct the carriageway. This work cannot be carried out during overnight road closures as the new surface needs sufficient time to cool and harden before the carriageway can be re-opened to traffic.

“This work had originally been planned to take place earlier this month, during week day contraflows. However, on the first day of work drivers experienced long delays so we removed the traffic management and reprogrammed the work for later in the month."

There will be night-time lane and junction closures from Friday, October 24 while warning signs will be put up in advance of any closures, with clearly signed diversion routes.

The main contraflow work will take place over four weekends starting on Friday, October 31 and is expected to be completed prior to the main Christmas shopping period.

During the weekend contraflow work the westbound carriageway will be closed from 8pm on Friday evening until 6pm on Monday morning, with two-way traffic flow maintained on the eastbound carriageway. A 50 mph speed limit will be in operation for the duration of the works.

On Mondays to Fridays, both the eastbound and westbound carriageways will be open with two lanes operational in each direction; however contraflow cylinders will remain in place between lanes.