The new road - the Darlington Eastern Transport Corridor (DETC) - will connect the town's Haughton Road with the A66 and cut traffic jams.

It is hoped that the single-carriageway 1.8 mile (3km) road will also bring economic regeneration by opening up several areas for development.

Birse Civils Ltd has been appointed as the main contractor.

A cycleway, bridleway and footpath will run alongside the road, leading to a new bridge that will be built over the A66.

The cycleway will run onto Middleton St George and link into the national cycle network.

Hard work

It is hoped the new route will help cut the volume of traffic on Haughton Road, Yarm Road and McMullen Road.

Nick Wallis, Darlington Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "The start of work on this vitally important project has been a long time coming and I am delighted that we have arrived at this stage.

"The DETC is integral to our efforts to reduce traffic congestion in Darlington and will benefit motorists and pedestrians."

Darlington Council is contributing �460,000 to the project.

It is due to be completed in spring 2008.