Plans For New Tees Crossing Unveiled



A public consultation has today (March 13) been launched on proposals for a New Tees Crossing, to take pressure off the existing A19 Tees Viaduct.

At an event at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium Cllr Stephen Harker, Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Transport, outlined the plans which involve two options, the likely preferred £200million-£250million Tees Viaduct Capacity Enhancement Option and the £300million Tees Viaduct Option.

The first would see a new two-lane bridge built parallel to the existing A19 viaduct to carry traffic travelling northbound and the existing structure widened to allow for an extra lane of southbound traffic. The alternative solution would be to construct a new four-lane bridge parallel to the existing A19 viaduct for north and southbound traffic.

A series of four events will run across Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees. Copies of documents will be available in municipal buildings across the five Local Authority boroughs and a virtual consultation will be available online until it closes on 17 May 2019.

The preferred route will be announced in autumn and following confirmation of funding from the Department for Transport, construction is set to take place from 2023 to 2027.

Cllr Harker said: “To achieve our aims of economic growth and job creation, we need a high-quality, quick, affordable, reliable, integrated and safe transport system that works for residents and businesses.

“Transformational improvements to the road network are critical and this consultation outlines proposals for a New Tees Crossing that will alleviate the existing frustrating congestion issues on the Tees Viaduct, which carries the A19 Trunk Road.

“This is a major priority for the Combined Authority, but it’s vitally important that the public has their say in the future of their transport network. I’d urge everyone in the Tees Valley to look at our plans, visit our consultation events and fill in our online questionnaires to make sure their voices are heard.”

The consultation was launched by Cllr Harker, joined by Project Director Andy Johnson, on the same day as Transport for the North brought its roadshow to highlight its Strategic Transport Plan to Tees Valley.

The plan is the blueprint for how transport will play a defining role in rebalancing the national economy, improving peoples’ quality of life, and enabling towns and cities across the North to thrive.

Jonathan Spruce, Interim Strategy Director at Transport for the North, said: “Today was a fantastic opportunity to launch and talk about the Strategic Transport Plan in Tees Valley.

“It’s been a momentous few weeks for the North and I was delighted to join civic and business leaders today to talk about what that means for Tees Valley. It was timely, as we were able to support the start of the public consultation for the new Tees Crossing, a key piece of infrastructure that features in our investment programme.

“Tees Valley has an important role in supporting connectivity across the North. It’s home to world-class industries, a thriving energy sector and major international ports. By connecting these key economic assets and areas of the North, we can transform connectivity and unleash our true potential.

“Our Strategic Transport Plan, including Northern Powerhouse Rail, will give people more choice over where to live and work, more opportunities, and better connections to family and friends.”

• For more information and to fill out a consultation questionnaire, visit teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/newteescrossing