‘Needs of North being ignored’

A campaigning MP says the Government is ignoring the needs of the North after four collisions on the A19 in a matter of minutes.

Two people were taken to hospital and a man was arrested after a series of accidents on the A19 yesterday morning.

The road was closed in both directions near Peterlee as Durham Constabulary dealt with four separate accidents, which occurred within 15 minutes of each other.

Police say they dealt with a two-vehicle collision on the A19 northbound involving a Vauxhall Corsa and grey Seat Ibiza just prior to the A181 turn-off at 7.30am; a collision involving two vans and a Mini on the southbound side of the A19 at Easington at 7.35am, after which one man was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

There was also a collision on the northbound side of the A19 Peterlee, before Blackhall, involving a silver Vauxhall Corsa and a silver Mercedes at 7.45am, and a fourth collision involving a Transit van and red Seat Ibiza at the same time.

Easington MP Grahame Morris, who has repeatedly called for action to improve the road as part of our Safe A19 campaign, said: “How much longer will the Government ignore the needs of the North?

“TheA19isvitaltothe economic health of East Durham. We cannot afford our main economic highwaytoberepeatedly closed on a regular basis due to accidents.

“It hinders investment in our area when businesses see the main artery closed, frequent tailbacks and delays. For aGovernmentsupposedlycommittedtoa‘NorthernPowerhouse’Idonot believeitisunreasonable toasktheyconsiderroad safety and management on the A19, and the economic consequences of accidents.”