Councils join forces on Silverlink

24-JUN-09

Issued by: Jeanette Hedley

The Highways Agency are to be urged to allocate unspent highways maintenance funding to a long-term solution for Silverlink as a matter of urgency

North Tyneside's new Mayor, Linda Arkley has agreed to join forces with Iain Malcolm, the Leader of South Tyneside Council to lobby the government to release the cash.

Each year there is the potential of Highways Agency under-spend, and rather than it remain unused in government coffers, it could be allocated to a road solution that will help motorists and the local economy.

"The inadequacy of the Silverlink junction to cope with traffic levels has an impact on both sides of the river so it is important that we join forces on this issue," said Mrs Arkley.

"An interim solution to widen the Silverlink junction by one lane is just not good enough to meet the demands that will result from the opening of Tyne Tunnel Two in 2012.

"I don't want us to have to wait until 2012 to decide its not good enough. We need to be working on providing a long-term solution now and I will be asking the Highways Agency to give us first call on that money for Silverlink.

"I have also asked the Chief Executive to insist that the Highways Agency come up with proposed road schemes that could offer a solution so that at least there are ideas ready to take off the shelf as soon as money is available."

The Leader of South Tyneside Council, Cllr Iain Malcolm said: "South Tyneside Council has been campaigning for improvements to Silverlink and the A19 junction for some time.

"This junction is absolutely crucial to the second Tyne Crossing scheme and fast-tracking the improvements would bring better prospects for enterprise, regeneration and jobs on both sides of the river.

"The staff and machinery are already on site so it seems sensible and cost effective to utilise this opportunity to carry out the improvements to Silverlink and improve traffic flows on the A19.

"I'm pleased to be working with Linda Arkley to press the Highways Agency for an early release of funding to allow the work to be brought forward as a matter of urgency.

"Unless we do so, the traffic chaos at this junction will increase in future - the time for action is now. "

The A19 - the trunk road linking to the Tyne Tunnel - currently caters for over 40,000 vehicles per day.

While the A1058 from Newcastle to the coast, which goes above the A19, accommodates 60,000 vehicles per day.

The Silverlink junction of the A19 trunk road and the A1058 is already over capacity - dealing with some 100,000 vehicles a day.

And when the second Tyne Tunnel opens in 2012 those figures could significantly increase.

The Highways Agency currently has a scheme for improving the interchange in its programme for 2014.