Upgrade plans for A689 and A19 junction to improve route from Hartlepool town centre to Wynyard

Improvements are set to take place on the A689 between Hartlepool town centre and Wynyard. Image by Dave Charnley Photography.

The Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority will now use these funds to develop a business case and design that will create the planning case to deliver a package of improvement measures along the A689 corridor within Stockton-on-Tees and Hartlepool to increase capacity and reduce congestion, improve journey times and facilitate business growth.

While the design work is at an early stage the funding could be used to undertake a number of junction improvements along the A689 in the Wynyard area.

The project will also look at:

*Capacity improvement on the A19/A689 interchange

*Pedestrian and cycle bridge crossings of the A19

*Wider cycle and pedestrian connectivity

*A series of improvements at strategic points west of the A19 into the centre of Hartlepool such as Wolviston services and the petrol station at Morrisons.

In August, a £26.75 million bid was made to the Government to ease congestion on the route and improve journey times, safety for road users and boost economic growth.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “Improving the A689 is hugely important to the people of Hartlepool and Stockton.

“Just last month I committed £5 million for a new pedestrian bridge across the A689 as well as improvements to the A19/A689 Meadows roundabout.

“This cash will allow us to improve our road infrastructure around Stockton and Hartlepool even further.

“Local people want to see improvements to the road network, reduced congestion and improve public transport and walking and cycling routes, and this cash will allow us to do just that.”

Councillor Heather Scott, transport lead for the Combined Authority said: “This is yet another fantastic investment to help develop the improvements that the people of Tees Valley need and deserve.

“We are creating jobs, opportunities and new homes across the region but people need to be able to access them.

“Transformational improvements to the road network are critical and this funding will help alleviate the existing frustrating congestion issues along these routes.”