Second Silverlink exhibition welcomed

15-FEB-10

Issued by: Jeanette Hedley

North Tyneside's Elected Mayor, Linda Arkley has welcomed further consultation on the proposals for the improvement of the Silverlink junction of the A19/11058 Coast Road.

The Highways Agency have today (Monday, February 15) announced it is to hold a second exhibition of the three recommended options.

These will be held at Travelodge Newcastle, Silverlink, Silverlink Park, Coast Road, NE28 9ND on:

- Friday, February 26, between 12noon and 8pm

- Saturday, February 27, between 10am and 4pm.

Mrs Arkley - who has pressed the government for an urgent solution - is urging as many people as possible to comment.

The Highways Agency is developing a scheme to improve the junction of the A19 and the Coast road A1058 at the Silverlink junction on behalf of the Department for Transport.

They have now developed three alternative options:

- The 'blue option' to place the A19 traffic below the Coast Road junction in a cutting. This option would involve the construction of two bridges to carry the roundabout carriageway over the lowered A19 and a replacement bridge structure to support the A1058 Coast Road across the junction.

- A red option which is similar to the 'blue option' except the A19 would be enclosed in a tunnel underneath the Coast Road

- A brown option which would take the A19 above the existing Coast Road flyover via a new A19 flyover.

Mrs Arkley said: "I am delighted that the Highways Agency is offering a second public exhibition to display the proposals to address the inadequacy of the Silverlink junction.

"It is imperative for the whole region that we have a new junction in place as soon as possible, especially with the imminent opening of the second Tyne Tunnel. A high quality road network is essential if we are going to attract new investment and jobs to the North East.

"And it is important that local motorists, who know the road and the problems currently experienced, view the options and give their feedback during the consultations.

Feedback from the public during the consultations will inform the final project implemented.

The A19 - the trunk road linking to the Tyne Tunnel - currently caters for 38,000 vehicles per day.

And the A1058 from Newcastle to the coast, which goes above the A19, accommodates 52,000 vehicles per day.

The Silverlink junction of the A19 trunk road and the A1058 is already over capacity - dealing with over 69,000 vehicles per day.

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

The scheme is included in the North East Regional Funding Allocation improvements programme for a start of works in December 2014, following acceptance of a recommendation to Central Government by the North East Regional Transport Board.

For further information about the scheme, or a copy of the leaflet, visit http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/19802.aspx or write to the project team at: Highways Agency (A19), lateral, 8 City Walk, Leeds, LS11 9AT.