Darlington’s new-build steam road

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A ROAD in Darlington has been officially named after new-build Peppercorn A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado.

Tornado Way is now the new name for a major commuter road in the town, previously and provisionally known as the Darlington Eastern Transport Corridor. It was first opened to motorists in 2007, linking the A66 with Darlington town centre and providing a relief for congested Haughton Road.

Paul Bruce (right) and Graeme Bunker-James (centre) with Coun Nick Wallis and the new sign. STUART BOULTON

The name of the road was chosen by a public vote organised by Darlington Borough Council and was unveiled on February 8 by Paul Bruce and Graeme Bunker-James of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and Coun Nick Wallis, the local authority’s cabinet member for leisure and local environment.

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Tornado Way scooped almost 50% of the votes in the social media poll.

The road follows the trackbed of the original Stockton & Darlington Railway from 1825.

Graeme said: “This just shows how much the history of railway means to the people of Darlington. We’re delighted that No. 60163 Tornado has been invited to be as much a part of the town’s future as its past.”

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Coun Wallis said: “Darlington is rightly proud to be the birthplace of Tornado, the first new main line steam locomotive to be built in the UK for over 50 years. We are delighted to name this road in its honour and excited about what the future may hold. Tornado Way has already unlocked a huge amount of positive development for the eastern side of Darlington, creating thousands of jobs and hundreds of new homes, and there is still more to come.”

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