More problems on roads days after ‘Beast’ storms
SITUATION TO BE MONITORED BY HIGHWAYS OFFICIALS
Roads were beginning to get back to normal on Wearside today – but drivers were urged to take care after days of traffic chaos following extreme weather caused by the Beast from the East.
The busy A690 road westbound was re-opened between the A19 and Houghton by highway chiefs after it was shut to traffic at Houghton Cut following last week’s snowstorms.
Huge mounds of snow had gathered on the hills next to the westbound carriageway, with council bosses opting to close the stretch of road in the interests of safety. There had been fears that melting snow could fall onto vehicles below.
Officers from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue service have been trying to dislodge the drifts over the past few days, without success.
But traffic is now moving again on the road after the outside lane was initially reopened yesterday afternoon.
The westbound side had been shut from the junction with the A19 at Doxford Park since Friday, with drivers having to take alternative routes.
Council bosses have said that a 1,000-metre stretch of one-metre-high water-filled barriers is being put in place to separate the two carriageways and limit any snow from the rock face falling into the closed inside lane. The situation will continue to be monitored on a twohourly basis.
Coun Michael Mordey, portfolio holder for city services, said: “The A690 is one on the main arterial routes into and out of the city and we understand the inconvenience the westbound carriageway’s closure has brought to the many thousands of people who use it on their daily commute, and would like to thank them for their patience.
“Public safety has to be a priority but we have been working with our partners in the police and the fire service since Friday to reopen it to the traffic at the earliest possible opportunity.
“This has included two attempts by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service to dislodge the overhanging snow drifts, which unfortunately were unsuccessful.
“We believe we have now found a compromise that will allow us to go ahead with reopening the outside lane safely while we continue to monitor the situation.”
Although the snow was disappearing, yesterday was still a difficult day for many motorists, with North East Live Traffic posting that there were 10 crashes at the A19/A690 Doxford Park Interchange alone.
“Northumbria Police are asking for drivers to adhere to the road conditions and slow down due to the fact that there has been so far today 10 collisions in this area alone,” it said.
Drivers also continued to face delays on Seaham Road and on the A182 in the Shiney Row and Philadelphia areas.