Progress report

Downhill Lane

Following the Preferred route announcement for Downhill lane, we are now in our statutory consultation period, which is part of the planned Development Consent Order (DCO) Submission. We are planning for a submission date of spring 2018.

Before we submit our application, we are consulting further on the proposals. This is a statutory consultation in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act 2008. It provides an update to the 2016 non-statutory consultation and a further opportunity to hear any views people may have on the proposed scheme.

Have your say on our consultation page

A19 Testos

We have now submitted our planning application which is currently under review with the Planning Inspectorate. You can view more information on the Planning inspectorate website.

What next?

Now we’ve announced our preferred route, we will carry out surveys and investigations to allow us to design the scheme in more detail. We plan to start work on site for Downhill Lane by the end of September 2019.

We plan to start work on site for Downhill Lane in autumn 2019.

Timeline

Date	Event
2016/2017	Consultation on Downhill Lane proposals
2017/2018	Further consultation and application for development consent – Testos and Downhill Lane
2018/2019	Start of works
2021	End of works

Why we need this scheme

The A19 Testos and Downhill Lane junctions suffer from congestion, especially during peak times, which can result in unreliable journey times. Development of the International Advanced Manufacturing Park, promoted by South Tyneside and Sunderland Councils, will mean a long term increase in traffic at the Downhill Lane junction. We need to make sure it is able to cope with increased vehicle numbers.

The scheme in detail

The project is to replace the existing at-grade roundabout junction between the A184 and the A19 (Testos junction) with a grade-separated junction. This involves raising the A19 carriageway above ground on embankments and bridge structures as required to carry it over the existing roundabout. The new raised section of the A19 will be slightly west of its existing alignment to accommodate a widened roundabout, whilst minimising the impact on an electricity sub-station to the east and retaining parts of the existing A19 southbound carriageway for use as new slip roads. Access to and from the A19 north of Testos junction to Downhill Lane junction, which lies 1km to the south, would be via Testos roundabout and new parallel link roads connecting the two junctions. We will carry out these two junction improvements together as a single scheme to minimise disruption to road users and provide cost efficiencies.

Aims

The objectives of this scheme are to:

• support economic growth
• provide a safe and serviceable road network
• provide a more free-flowing road network
• improve the environment
• provide an accessible and integrated road network

Roadworks and Events for England

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