Drivers can expect disruption and delays after plans were unveiled to make a busy road in a Northumberland town one-way for the next three months.
Northumberland County Council have announced that a temporary one-way system will be introduced on the B1329 Links Road in Blyth from February 14.
The restrictions, which will allow a new road access to be built to the Link House Farm Development at South Beach, are expected to be in place until May.
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The development, proposed by Kingsmead Developments on behalf of Blagdon Estate, will see 1458m2 of mixed-use retail and leisure development adjacent to the seafront, delivered in two phases.
The council say a range of options were discussed, but it was felt a one-way system from the Links Road roundabout to the Mermaid car park entrance was the safest option, as well as promoting traffic flow and creating the least congestion.
The rest of the road will continue to be open to two-way traffic.
Coun John Riddle cabinet member for local services explained: “The Link House Farm commercial development will continue the regeneration of this area of Blyth and is a welcome enhancement to the beach area, which is one of the main gateway routes into the town.
“It does however require a new access to be formed which will require the developer to carry out significant works to this length of road which can only be carried out with the road restricted to one lane.
“In other locations this could be achieved with two-way temporary traffic lights. However, the work on Links Road is immediately next to the roundabout and therefore a simple two-way light system would immediately cause tail backs and stationary traffic on to the roundabout, which would be unsafe for traffic and block traffic movements.“
From February 14, the one-way system will be in place between the roundabout and car park for northbound traffic, with southbound traffic following a sign-posted diversion via Links Road, Ridley Avenue, Bridge Street, Waterloo Road, Renwick Road, Broadway and Rotary Way.
The system has been designed to allow visitors to reach the Mermaid car park and Blyth port along with other locations along Links Road as normal, with only their return journey impacted.
The other option considered was to have all four legs of the roundabout under traffic light control. Council officers feared this would bring long traffic delays on all approaches to the busy roundabout.
Coun Riddle added: “New developments and work on the highway inevitably cause some disruption which cannot be avoided. We thank people in advance for their patience whilst these important improvements supporting the regeneration of Blyth are carried out.
“The developer's proposals were carefully considered by the council's Streetwork’s team and taking account of all traffic issues it was decided that the least disruptive of these options for overall traffic was option B - the one-way system.
"We will be carefully monitoring the operation of the one-way system and diversion to ensure it is working effectively.”
The council has also been in discussions with Arriva to minimise disruption to bus passengers.
It has been agreed that any travellers wishing to head south into Newcastle will be able to catch the northbound bus into Blyth bus station and continue to Newcastle at no extra cost.
While the work is ongoing, additional building work will also be carried out to improve pedestrian and cycling facilities at the junction of Waterloo Road and Renwick Road.
This is due to the fact the external funding for this project is time-limited and therefore cannot be delayed.
Lanes will be narrowed so that traffic including buses and HGVs can still flow, but there will be some periods with off-peak traffic lights in operation.
The council say it is also aware of concerns that have been raised about potential issues due to increased use of Plessey Road and Park Road during the works.
A spokesman for the council said: "This will be included in monitoring to see if any further measures are required. Wherever possible people are asked to use the signed diversion route."
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