A66 traffic: Drivers face three-hour delays as 'hazardous area response team' attends 'serious collision'

Taking to social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, National Highways: North-East has issued a warning to drivers.

It stated that a serious collision had forced the closure of the A66, which was first reported earlier today.

National Highways also announced: "All emergency services are attending the incident."

It added: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."

Traffic maps from National Highways show long delays, with normal conditions not expected to return until around 4pm.

The AA also reports that temporary traffic lights are installed on the A6108 Barracks Bank both ways between Scurragh Lane and A6055 Great North Road.

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed that crews were still on the scene.

They added: "We received a call at 10.33am on Tuesday, September 30, to reports of a road traffic incident on the A66 in Bowes, Barnard Castle.

"We dispatched two ambulance crews, a clinical team leader, a duty officer, a rapid response paramedic, two crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), and requested support from our colleagues at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) who attended by air."

A number of diversion routes have been established for motorists travelling near the A66 while the incident remains active. However, some of the routes are not suitable for heavy goods vehicles.

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Northbound traffic should follow the solid diamond diversion symbol

• Turn left onto the B6280, following the signs for A1M North for 4km until reaching the A1M Junction 58

Eastbound traffic should follow the diversion, which is not symbol-led

• Exit the A66 EB at Bowes and take the A67 to Barnard Castle. Cross the River Tees and continue through the town and the outskirts of Barnard Castle
• Continue on A67 for 14 miles until arriving at the Coniscliffe Rd A67/B6280 roundabout
• At this point, traffic will be segregated North or South, depending on their journey

Southbound traffic should follow the solid square diversion symbol

• Turn right onto the A67 towards Blackwell and join the A66
• From here, continue onto the A66M until reaching the A1M
• Follow the A1M towards Scotch Corner

Westbound traffic should follow the diversion, which is not symbol-led

• From Scotch Corner, take the A1 northbound and exit at J57 onto the A66(M) northbound
• At the roundabout at Stapleton, take the first exit onto the A66. At the next roundabout, take the first exit onto the A67
• Remain on the A67 for approximately 14 miles to Barnard Castle. Cross over the River Tees on the A67 and remain on this road to the roundabout with the A66 at Bowes