New Year delays at roundabout
WORK WILL AFFECT PEAK-TIME TRAFFIC
MAJOR works on a busy Tyneside roundabout are set to begin in the New Year – and drivers are being warned to expect peak time delays.
Gateshead Council has announced works to install traffic lights on Blaydon Roundabout will start on January 7 and are due to last up to 10 weeks.
Lane closures will be used to complete the works.
The Garden Street entrance on to the roundabout will be closed for two consecutive Sundays and during the school half-term holiday in February.
Diversions will be signposted via Shibdon Road and Chainbridge Road.
The authority say the roundabout currently suffers from significant peak-time congestion, and the new lights are hoped to ease these delays by regulating vehicle flows more effectively.
Anneliese Hutchinson, service director for development, transport and public protection, said: “The roundabout is currently subject to congestion, particularly at peak times.
“These works are designed to regulate traffic flows through this junction and accommodate future growth on traffic.
“Traffic flows are not fixed, they’re dynamic and they change throughout the day.
“The addition of traffic lights will mean we will be able to manage those changing flows much better and hopefully reduce some of the congestion we see during the morning and evening peaks.
“We know these works will cause some temporary disruption, but we are working hard to minimise the effects and to get the work finished within the 10-week period, or earlier if we possibly can.”
The works are being delivered through contributions from housing developments.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time for their journeys while the roadworks are under way, particularly during the morning and evening peak times.