North East region

North East region

Targeted programme of improvements

A1 Willowburn to Denwick Improvement This scheme will be taken forward in order to improve safety on this section of single carriageway trunk road.

Schemes associated with development

The following development driven scheme will be taken forward subject to agreement with the developer:
A19 Wolviston Second Samsung Access

Smaller scale measures

The Highways Agency has identified a number of possible local network management dualling schemes on the A1 and the A66 which address safety concerns. Planning has commenced on Felton to Lanehead and Ellingham to Newstead on the A1. Preferred Route announcements have just been made on Scotch Corner to Melsonby and Greta Bridge to Dyson Lane on the A66. Consideration is being given to further schemes on both roads which can be justified on safety grounds.

The Agency will continue the highly successful toolkit initiatives to introduce low cost safety measures on the A1 and the A66. Seven are planned for the A1 this year and four on the A66 between Penrith and Scotch Corner. The possibility of using toolkit measures to address the problems on the Gateshead and Newcastle Western Bypasses and to give better overtaking opportunities on the A1 between Morpeth and Felton will be investigated.

Proposed studies

Subject to consultation with the regional planning conference it is proposed to undertake the studies detailed below. The outcome of these studies will inform consideration of transport infrastructure requirements in preparing Regional Planning Guidance, including the need for improvements to the trunk road network.

Tyneside Area Study Study of capacity problems on the A1 and A19 in Tyneside, covering in particular congestion on the Gateshead Western Bypass, dualling of the Tyne Tunnel, development pressures, safety and the scope for modal shift.

A66 Safety Study A study to investigate the poor safety record on this route between Scotch Corner and Penrith and to identify options.

In addition, the A1 Gateshead to Edinburgh pilot Route Management Strategy being undertaken by the Highways Agency will continue.

Transport system

The North East consists of the two predominantly rural counties of Northumberland and Durham and the industrial conurbations centred on the river estuaries of the Tyne, Wear and Tees. It is a region of great contrasts. The western area is formed by the hills and forests of the North Pennines and Border Hills, whilst its eastern boundary is the North Sea. Between these two lie agricultural lowlands, market towns such as Alnwick and Morpeth, the former coalfield settlements of Durham and South East Northumberland and the main centres of population and economic activity centred around Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

The regions trunk road network is relatively straightforward. The A1/A1(M) and the A19 form the north-south routes to the east of the Pennines connecting England and Scotland, whilst the A69 and A66 provide key links to Cumbria and the North West, Western Scotland and Ireland via Stranraer. The remainder of the network largely provides alternative north-south routes or important links across conurbations. The electrified East Coast Main Line provides fast regular rail services via Newcastle, Durham and Darlington to London and Edinburgh, whilst the Tyne Valley line provides the only rail connection with the west via Carlisle. Teesside and Sunderland have rail connections to the East Coast Main Line and a coastal railway provides local access. The Tyneside conurbation is served by the Tyne and Wear Metro system. Newcastle International Airport is the largest of the regions airports, although Teesside is expanding rapidly. Teesport is the UKs second largest port in terms of tonnage whilst the Port of Tyne has expanding car export and ferry operations. Both have rail freight facilities. The region has other ports at Blyth, Sunderland and Seaham.

Pressure points on north east regions trunk roads

Following publication of the consultation documents What role for trunk roads in England? and Developing an Integrated Transport Policy, the Government Office for the North East together with the North of England Assembly of Local Authorities established a Regional Transport Forum and jointly ran five themed seminars looking at all aspects of transport in the region. The regions trunk roads were a key element in the discussions at the transport corridors seminar, and also at the regions integrated transport seminar. Representatives from a wide range of organisations debated the issues at length. In addition 23 written representations were received in response to the consultation documents. The main points and areas for action identified as a result of the regional consultation were:

• The extent of the trunk road network was felt to be about right.
• Need to offset the regions peripherality by better transport links, particularly in terms of providing a motorway connection to the south.
• Need to address safety and the inefficient operation of single carriageway trunk roads, in particular the A1 north of Morpeth, the A66 and the A69.
• Dealing with congestion on main routes, particularly on the A1 through the Tyneside conurbation (including the Gateshead Western Bypass) and on the A19, to the north of the Tyne Tunnel should be a high priority.
• Need to cater for local traffic movements which currently interfere with the safe and efficient operation of the trunk roads as strategic long distance routes.
• The removal of trunk road traffic from towns and villages to improve safety and the environment is supported.
• Need to cater for new developments and to avoid prejudicing the economic development of the region.
• Freight transport by road was seen as continuing to be the most efficient choice for the majority of movements, although there was widespread support for initiatives which encourage more freight by rail and inland waterways.

Other decisions

The following scheme is to be studied as part of the Tyneside Area Study and will be considered by the regional planning conference:

• A1 Gateshead Western Bypass

Proposals for detrunking

Routes within the North East proposed for transfer to local highway authority management are:

• A167
• A696/A68 between Newcastle International Airport and the Scottish Border