Last updated 17:34, Thursday, 21 August 2008

MOTORING misery lies ahead for Tynedale motorists, with roadworks starting on three major routes.

Both Haugh Lane and Station Road – two of the busiest roads in Hexham – will be dug up for more than two weeks.

Station Road will be closed completely, while Haugh Lane will be controlled by traffic lights.

North Tyne motorists are also facing a 20-mile detour, as the A68, the main road into Scotland, will be closed completely for up to two weeks from next month.

Work starts next Saturday to resurface both Haugh Lane and Station Road and is estimated to take 16 days.

In addition to the resurfacing works there will also be some repairs to footpaths, and some kerb renewal on both roads.

On Haugh Lane, the repairs will be carried out over the weekend from 8am to 8pm, using temporary traffic lights to control the flow of traffic.

On Station Road the work will be done on weekdays (Monday to Friday) at ‘off peak’ times to accommodate early morning and evening rush hour traffic.

There will be a diversion route in place and Station Road will be re-opened on a daily basis when there are no works being carried out.

Two weeks later, Tynedale’s main road into Scotland, the A68, will be closed completely for up to two weeks for resurfacing at Swinburne Bends and Ridsdale.

Traffic will be diverted from Colwell Five Lane Ends on to the A696 at Kirkharle before rejoining the A68 at Elishaw – a diversion of more than 20 miles.

Work at Swinburne is expected to take three days, while the Ridsdale planing and resurfacing will take up to 12 days.

Access will be maintained for residents at all times, but some delays are expected.