Warning over new roadworks
DRIVERS are being warned that two new sets of roadworks are due to start in North Tyneside this month.
North Tyneside Council began the North Bank of the Tyne Highway Improvement Scheme in October, which involves improvements to seven junctions.
The first three ‘parcels’ of works have now been completed.
Two more are scheduled to begin in North Shields by the end of this month:
At the Norham Road/ Waterville Road/ Wallsend Road roundabout work will include the creation of an extra traffic lane on the southbound (Norham Road) approach to the roundabout. An additional lane will be marked out on the junction and A193 westbound exit. This will allow traffic from Norham Road to use both lanes towards the A193 westbound.
Work to re-configure the traffic island at the bottom of Norham Road will begin at the end of this month. There will be short off-peak (9.30am – 3.30pm) lane closures on Norham Road.
The A193/High Flatworth roundabout will form one of the most significant phases of the scheme, with work carried out in stages over several months. It will include a number of improvements to reduce queues, improve journey times and create better access to the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate as well as enhancing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
Under the project, a road will be widened to three lanes, a dedicated left-turn lane into the trading estate will be constructed, there will be revised road markings to improve access to the westbound A193 as well as toucan pedestrian/ cycle crossings at the approaches.
In addition, there will be a revised exit from the Howdon Household Waste Recycling Centre and a shared footpath/ cycle way around the junction. When the work starts, an off-peak lane closure will be put in place to minimise disruption.
The first three sets of roadworks that have been completed were along the A187 Hadrian Road in Wallsend, at Bewicke Street and at Neptune Road.
Work is continuing on improvements at Ropery Lane, in Wallsend. This phase began at the end of January and is progressing well.
The council says the whole £4.7m programme will help to encourage firms to invest in available land along the riverside and remove transport barriers.
The overall scheme is due to be completed by the autumn.
Drivers are already coping with a number of roadworks in and around North Tyneside, including the work to rebuild Norham Road Bridge and the Silverlink roundabout improvements.