Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
James Robinson

Council press ahead with Blyth relief road plans while awaiting decision from the Department for Transport

The future of the long-awaited Blyth relief road hangs in the balance, with Government funding for the £44 million project yet to be finalised.

Northumberland County Council's cabinet agreed to press ahead with design work for the project, at a cost of £640,000.

However, at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the council's finance chief Jan Willis admitted the work was being done "at risk", with no word as to whether a funding bid to the DfT had been successful.

Read more: Conservatives on course to lose all seats in the North East, poll says

Ms Willis added: "This is something we need to get on with anyway, whether we're able to proceed with funding or not."

Plans to deal with significant congestion problems in Blyth by building the new road have been in the pipeline as far back as 2015. Earlier this year, the council said the road could finally open in 2026.

The authority's preferred option is now a realignment and dualling of the existing A1061 Laverock Hall Road, plus an additional link between Chase Farm Drive and Ogle Drive to cut traffic queues along Cowpen Road. Previous routes were deemed undeliverable.

In April, Coun Wojciech Ploszaj, cabinet member for business, insisted the administration remained committed to the project - but warned its completion would hinge on a successful bid for funding from central Government.

Speaking at Tuesday's meeting, Coun Ploszaj said: "This is a critical project to fix and future-proof transport problems in Blyth. It's a very welcome and long-awaited project.

"I believe that this, with the Northumberland Line, will bring a significant impact to the community and the economy of Blyth."

Deputy leader Coun Richard Wearmouth added: "This is the council getting on with the job of delivering the Blyth Relief Road. We do this work as a calculated risk to make sure we're putting our best foot forward for the people of Blyth."

Read next:

  • Cramlington woman who has spent majority of her life lying down is in a coma after first part of operation
  • Two North East areas make the top five Covid hotspots across the UK in new ONS data
  • 'Appalling:' Northumberland schools slammed for excluding pupils who breach uniform rules
  • 'Younger keyboard warriors' not prepared for emergencies like Storm Arwen claims councillor
  • Northumberland bus driver robbed at knifepoint by drug-crazed thug who tried to stab him
  • Sign up to read this article
    Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
    Already a member? Sign in here
    Related Stories
    Top stories on inkl right now
    One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
    Already a member? Sign in here
    Our Picks
    Fourteen days free
    Download the app
    One app. One membership.
    100+ trusted global sources.