Council calls on Government to back the Blyth Relief Road Project
01 Aug 2024 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Northumberland County Council has called on the Government to confirm its commitment to the planned Blyth Relief Road.
Council Leader Glen Sanderson has called on the new Government to honour commitments made by the previous Government to support the project, amidst concerns that many of the major road investment projects in the North East, including the dualling of the A1 between Morpeth to Ellingham, are at risk of being cut.
Cllr Sanderson said: “Blyth plays a key role in the regional economy, with the £90 million ‘Energising Blyth’ programme making it a thriving UK and international centre of renewable energy and advanced manufacturing growth and innovation.
“This investment presents a real opportunity to grow the economy of the area and the wider region. However, to ensure this, it is essential that the congestion in this area is tackled through improved transport links.
'We‘d urge the Government to honour the commitment set out in 'Network North - Transforming British Transport report', to support funding for the delivery of this strategically important scheme that will reduce local congestion, cut car and bus journey times, offer greater walking and cycling opportunities and support opportunities for future growth.
“As a Council we remain fully committed to the delivery of this project and we intend to press on as a key priority with the work to refresh the business case, submit the scheme for planning approval, acquire land and undertake detailed design work so that it is 'shovel ready' for construction to begin, subject to Government agreeing the business case and funding approval.”
The Outline Business Case for the Blyth Relief Road scheme, which involves construction of a new dual carriageway and road widening of the existing single carriageway to dual carriageway including cycling/walking route provision along the length of the A1061 and the construction of a new single carriageway link between Chase Farm Drive and Ogle Drive, is currently being refreshed and is due for re-submission to DfT in October.
It was originally submitted to DfT in July 2022 but now requires traffic modelling and financial data to be updated, with the original total cost of the scheme being £46.8m.