Delays expected as work start on new Hartlepool crossing

Motorists are being warned to expect delays as work on a new crossing on one of the main roads in and out of Hartlepool starts on Monday. 'ƒ
Easington RoadEasington Road
Easington Road

Construction on the pedestrian and cycle crossing on the A179 at Easington Road will take about five weeks.

It will require the inside lanes on both sides of the dual carriageway to be closed in the initial stages.

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The lane closures between Hartlepool Rugby Club and the hospital roundabout, are expected to lead to traffic queues particularly at peak times.

Hartlepool Borough Council is advising drivers to allow more time for their journeys.

Councillor Kevin Cranney, chairman of the council’s Regeneration Services Committee, said: “The new crossing on the A179 will provide a much-needed link between large residential areas in the north of the town to the Oakesway Industrial Estate Enterprise Zone.”

Known as the Access to Oakesway scheme, the crossing will be built across the A179 near Warren Road.”

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Other work will see the crossing connected to the Bishop Cuthbert housing estate and to improve road markings on the Oakesway Industrial Estate side of the A179.

The crossing is one of two major infrastructure projects that aim to make it easier for people to cycle or walk to work.

The other is a 1,500 feetlong cycle and walkway that is currently being constructed on the A689 between the Queens Meadow Enterprise Zone and Truro Drive.

It is part of a bigger ambition to create a route suitable for cyclists and pedestrians along the full length of the A689.

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Coun Cranney, who is also the council’s transport lead on the Tees Valley Combined Authority, added: “The first phase of the A689 scheme is part of a wider vision to establish a cycle/pedestrian route along the full length of the A689 from the border with the borough of Stockton-on-Tees to Hartlepool town centre.”

Both schemes are part of the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s £8 million Sustainable Access to Employment programme.

Last month, the council also announced a Hartlepool Active Travel Hub is to receive a share of £3.23million allocated to the Tees Valley from the Government’s Sustainable Travel Access Fund.

The hub works closely with local companies and workers to promote sustainable forms of travel, including cycling, walking, public transport and car sharing,

In the Tees Valley 30% of people are said not to own a car, which is 5% higher than the national average.