Our A19 safety fight will go on

As we report today, it is a year since the Echo launched the Safer A19 campaign – and there’s still no action.

We started the campaign following a worrying number of accidents causing gridlock on one of the main transport arteries through Wearside, South Tyneside and Teesside.

The campaign was backed by Grahame Morris, Labour MP for Easington, who launched calls for a safety review into the section of the road which runs through his constituency, as well as south to Hartlepool and north as far as the Tyne Tunnel.

Also 2,000 people have signed our petition.

Despite the lack of Government action, Mr Morris, like the Echo, is determined to keep going with the campaign until the dangers we both raised 12 months ago have been addressed.

Today, he has pledged to continue to hold transport ministers, their department and the Highways Agency to account and press for the investigationand funding to improve what is one of the North East’s main arterial roads. He says he is not willing to accept that it is only driver error which leads to collisions.

He said: “The A19 remains an accident black spot. The Safe A19 campaign should continue until action is taken to reduce the regular accidents that cause delays and disruption for residents and businesses. Our community deserves better than in difference from Highways Authorities.It is reasonable to ask how many accidents and fatalities are required before the Governmentwill take action to address this problem ?”

We agree. We will keep highlighting every accident and delay on this black spot and keep pressing the Government for a safety review and improvements.

If you would like to back our call for action, our petition can be signed via https://bit.ly/2fuEZ20