Have your say on way forward
Like the River Wear before it, the A19 is the main transport artery for Wearside and is crucial to its economic regeneration.
Nissan, the link road from the new Wear Crossing and the new £300million International Advanced Business Park, planned next to the car giant’s factory, will all rely on the A19.
Also more industry along the A19 corridor south and north of the Tyne will also need the route.
So it’s important that any existing traffic bottleneck or potential congestion blackspots must be cleared to keep the wheels of industry turning.
Today and tomorrow Wearsiders have the chance to have a first glimpse of a massive £100million scheme to cut congestion in the north of the city.
The plans will see a fly over carrying the A 19 over Testo’s roundabout, while the existing Dowhill Lane junction will be turned into a roundabout , with a second bridge to be built south of the exisiting one to increase road capacity.
Plans of various possible schemes for the Downhill Lane section and a video of the preferred option will go on show at the consultation events.
Highways England project manager Paul Ahdal said the scheme was recognition of the national importance of the new International Advanced Manufacturing Park. It is intended to reduce congestion on what is already one of the region’s busiest roads – used by 75,000 vehicles a day–for years to come.
And bearing in mind the consequences the work may entail for the city’s A19 users, who are bound to face some traffic disruption, it may be wise to attend the consultation events and have your say on the way forward.