Described her ongoing efforts to build a bypass in Toft Hill, noting that local residents and the parish council have been campaigning for decades. She mentioned that building the bypass was one of her key election pledges and she has raised it with various government officials. She highlighted safety concerns due to vehicles passing through residential zones near schools.

The A68 is a critical route between Teesside and Scotland, despite being less used than other routes like the A1, M6, and M74. Owen Thompson highlighted its historical significance and beauty but noted improvements are needed for safety and connectivity. He expressed concerns about the Union Connectivity Review's approach to transport decisions, advocating for respect of devolved powers.

Mr Howell emphasised the importance of improving A68 connectivity between Durham, Teesside and Scotland for economic growth. He highlighted that the current road infrastructure is inadequate due to its single-carriageway nature, causing frequent congestion and safety issues. Mr Howell also mentioned the need for investment in bypasses such as Toft Hill and Darlington northern bypass, which would alleviate traffic bottlenecks and improve connectivity for businesses like Hitachi in Newton Aycliffe.

Mr Gibson highlighted the importance of improving connectivity in northern transport infrastructure, particularly focusing on the A68 road linking Darlington with Edinburgh. He discussed traffic congestion issues caused by a lack of northbound entry slip roads and an incomplete outer ring road, which affects residential areas in Darlington. Mr Gibson also emphasized the need for additional investment to revitalise the region's road network and reduce emissions.