Snarl-ups on A1 as crane breaks down

WORK to reduce snarl-ups on one of the busiest stretches of road on Tyneside have been delayed.

The revamp of a two-and-a-halfmile stretch of the A1 in Gateshead has been put back, Highways England has announced.

Plans to improve the dual carriageway between Birtley and the Coal House roundabout, which leads on to the Team Valley, was slated for 2019.

But as resources are focused on upgrading the A19 around Sunderland, the plan has been knocked back until late 2020.

The announcement comes as Highways England says it will reschedule a number of roadworks across the country to minimise disruption to road users.

Liz Twist, MP for Blaydon, has reacted angrily to the announcement and said she will put pressure on the Government to have the “vital” works completed sooner.

She said: “This is hugely disappointing. These works are necessary to keep our roads moving and to help grow our local economy, in particular the Team Valley Trading Estate which is so near to this stretch of road. “Our region already suffers from underinvestment in our transport system and the delay in this vital scheme just rubs salt in the wound. “I will be taking this up with the Minister and with Highways Liz Twist, MP for Blaydon England.”

Schemes to improve the A19 at the Testos roundabout and at Downhill Lane, both Sunderland, have been brought forward and will begin earlier in 2019/20 than previously planned.

But that means the Gateshead A1 upgrade has been knocked back over fears that having too many roadworks happening in close proximity could cause major disruption.

Ultimately, that stretch of the A1 will have a third lane added, similar to work which was carried out on the adjoining stretch of the road between the Coal House roundabout and beyond the Metrocentre.

Jim O’Sullivan, Highways England chief cxecutive, said: “Our update today is a sensible and responsible way to deliver major national investment in road infrastructure.

“It will keep our roads moving, deliver a lasting legacy for the country and ensure best value for money for the taxpayer.”

The government agency is making its way through a £15bn investment programme which has seen 18 major schemes completed and more than 190 miles of capacity added to roads. A BROKEN down crane on the A1 wreaked havoc during rush-hour, with tailbacks stretching from Newcastle into Gateshead.

The crane suffered a breakdown on the A1 northbound just after the Westerhope exit, blocking the inside lane for more than two hours yesterday morning.

Some motorists were stuck in the congestion — which was queued back as far as Birtley — for approximately 90 minutes during a disrupted morning on the region’s transport network.

A specialist recovery vehicle was needed to assist the crane but couldn’t reach the scene for nearly two hours, forcing northbound traffic to slowly file past the breakdown until it was finally cleared shortly after 9.30am.

Meanwhile, on the Metro, low rail adhesion – often caused by leaves on the track – triggered delays as trains were forced to reduce speed.