They have confirmed cash will be spent on delivering major improvements to the region’s roads, starting or completing six major road schemes and carrying out further development of further four major schemes.
Some of the work is already ongoing, with £61m covering A1 widening improvements between Coal House and the Gateshead Metrocentre. Later work will start increasing from two to five lanes on a third-of-a-mile section of the A1 between junction 68 at Lobley Hill and junction 69 at Gateshead Quays.
Jeremy Bloom, Highways England’s Director of Major Projects in the North, also confirmed a spring start next year for the A19 Coast Road, which will see £100m invested to turn the Silverlink interchange into a three tier roundabout.
Four new road schemes
- A19 Testos – £70m junction improvement due to start in 2017/18. Constructing a flyover to take the A19 over the Testos junction. Entry and exit slip roads will connect the A19 to the new larger roundabout
- A19 Down Hill Lane – £40m junction improvement due to start in 2017/18.
- A1 and A19 technology enhancement – £140m of technology improvements which are anticipated to start in 2016. Currently undergoing scheme design
- A19 Norton to Wynyard – £140m – £220m, road widening project to relieve congestion. Currently assessing scheme options
In addition to this investment, Highways England will be taking forward and delivering solutions to the feasibility study carried out for the A1 North of Newcastle. Consultation with key stakeholders, traffic and environmental surveys will begin this year with construction of the A1 North of Ellingham enhancements in advance of the dualling scheme which is planned to start in 2018.
Work continues to develop three future schemes on the A1. These are A1 Morpeth to Ellingham dualling, A1 Scotswood to North Brunton and A1 Birtley to Coal House widening.
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