Two congestion cutting schemes begin in Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough
Two Highways Agency schemes aimed at cutting congestion and improving journeys for drivers in Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough will begin this month.
The schemes at the A19/A689 Wolviston Interchange scheme near Wynyard, Stockton-on-Tees and the A19/A174 Parkway junction near Thornaby-on-Tees are the first of 4 ‘Pinch Point’ schemes taking place in the North East. The pinch point schemes provide smaller scale improvements that can deliver big returns by easing congestion and making journey times more reliable for road users, including hauliers and commuters to help boost local economies and drive economic growth.
For the work to be carried out safely traffic management including lane closures, narrow lanes and a temporary speed limit will be necessary.
Highways Agency Assistant Project Manager, Steve Bishop, said:
These schemes are great news for drivers in the region. They will have a positive impact on drivers using these important junctions. Once complete the schemes will cut congestion and reduce journey times. This will be beneficial for the local economies and also improve safety for drivers using these junctions.
The £3.7 million, A19/A689 Wolviston Interchange scheme near Wynyard, Stockton-on-Tees, aims to improve capacity and reduce congestion at this junction. The work will begin on 6 May and be completed by the end of the year. The scheme will:
- provide full time traffic signals on the roundabout at the junction of the A689 and A19
- widen the eastbound and westbound A689 approaches to the A19 junction from two to three lanes
- improve the existing southbound entry slip road onto the A19
- provide a new pedestrian route on the northern side of the junction with signal-controlled crossings of the A19 slip roads
- convert the existing pedestrian crossing on the A689 east of the A19 to a signal controlled crossing
Work will take place during off peak times, during the day and night. A 30mph temporary speed limit will be in place on the A689, A19/A689 roundabout and A19 southbound entry slip road. There will be lane closures on the southbound A19. There will be lane closures or narrow lanes in place on the southbound A19 entry slip road from the A689, the A689 approaches to A19, and the A19 / A689 roundabout.
Work on the £7.9 million, A19/A174 Parkway junction near Thornaby-on-Tees will begin on 19 May, helping to reduce congestion and journey times, boost the economy and improve safety. The scheme will be completed by the end of the year. Work will take place to:
- widen the A174 west of the A19 from a single carriageway to a two lane dual carriageway as far as the Teesside Industrial Estate roundabout
- widen part of the Parkway roundabout from two to three lanes
- fully signalise the Parkway roundabout by introducing signals on the A174 eastbound approach
- widen the A174 westbound approach to the Parkway roundabout from three to four lanes
- widen the A174 eastbound carriageway east of the A19 from two to three lanes as far as the B1380 Low Lane junction,
- widen the A19 southbound exit slip road approach to the Parkway roundabout from one to two lanes
Work will take place during the day and night. During the work there will be lane closures and narrow lanes on the A19/A174 Parkway roundabout, the A19 southbound exit slip road, and on the A174 Parkway both east and west of the A19 junction.
The work is part of a £317 million Pinch Point improvement programme designed to boost local economies, reduce congestion and improve safety on the strategic road network in England. The programme is part of the UK Government’s growth initiative, outlined during the Chancellors Autumn Statement in November 2011.
There are 4 Highways Agency Pinch Point schemes, totalling an investment of over £21m, taking place in the north east. The 2 further pinch point schemes will be taking place in late May and early June at the A19/A1231 Hylton Grange junction in Sunderland and the A1/A19 Seaton Burn junction in North Tyneside.
Further information is available on the Highways Agency website at www.highways.gov.uk/roads Information on the Pinch Point programme can be found at www.highways.gov.uk/our-road-network/managing-our-roads/improving-our-network/pinch-point-programme/
These schemes are scheme is part of a major programme of road improvements planned in the north east, with the region benefiting from over £500 million of investments beginning this year.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer