Plans to widen stretch of A19 under multi-million pound project - here's how to have your say

Members of the public will be asked for their views on Highways England’s £75million-£128million planned project to widen the A19 between Norton and Wynyard to three lanes in both directions.

Under the current proposals, work on the major scheme will commence in March 2020 and be completed by 2022.

The extra space created by the additional lane has been designed to ease congestion and delays for the 88,000 journeys that travel on this stretch each day.

In a statement, Highways England said the local community around the A689 Wynyard junction would also benefit, thanks to resurfacing to reduce noise.

In September, three public events are being held to give members of the public the chance to talk to the project team from Highways England about the plans.

They are: Tuesday, September 3, 1pm to 7pm, Wolviston Court Community Centre, Clifton Avenue, Stockton; Thursday, September 5, 7.30am to 6.30pm, OK Diner, Ron Perry Services on the A19 southbound, Elwick, Hartlepool; Sunday, September 8, 10am to 4pm, Norton Co-op car park, High Street, Norton, Stockton.

Highways England project manager Keith Bradley said: “Drivers who use this busy route experience congestion and delays, particularly during rush hour, while the existing concrete surface causes a noise issue for residents.

“Our improvements address the unreliable journey times and the noise heard by people living nearby, and allow us to support the Tees Valley economy, ahead of proposed employment and housing developments in the area.

“It’s important for us to hear people’s views, so we look forward to the upcoming public events.”

In recent months Highways England has carried out ecology surveys, drainage inspections and flood risk assessments in preparation for the start of work next March.

The public events take place on:

It comes as the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) prepares put a business case for separate plans elsewhere on the A19 to the Government later this year.

The authority wants between £200million and £250million to improve the existing Tees Crossing on the A66 and A19.