Congestion-hit roundabout upgrade options revealed
GoogleTwo options for upgrading a roundabout criticised over congestion issues have been announced.
Moor Farm roundabout, on the A19, near Cramlington, Northumberland, has previously been described by the local MP as causing "misery" for residents as well as being a "blocker to growth and a blocker to opportunity".
Work could now see a bridge built to carry the A19 over the roundabout, while an alternative involves adding links between the A19 and A189 to enable traffic to move between the two without using it.
A consultation will run until 25 July.
National Highways said it had looked at a number of possibilities and considered impacts on journey times, road safety and the environment, as well as the cost to build.
A number were then discounted with the remaining two found to be the most suitable for further consideration.
Building a bridge would see vehicles use the A19 without stopping and the existing 40mph (65km/h) restrictions would be replaced by the national speed limit.
The roundabout itself would be enlarged and reconfigured in an effort to better manage local traffic.
However, the westbound exit to Dudley Lane would need to be removed with drivers having to use Broad Law instead.
'Reduced delays'
The other option would see free-flow links between the A19 and A189 in both directions.
The northbound link would run over a bridge, while the southbound link would be at ground level.
Traffic staying on the A19 would use the existing junction.
National Highways says with some movements taken off the roundabout there would be less congestion, and queuing and delays would be reduced.
In this scenario, existing 40mph speed limits would remain.
It is estimated both schemes would take three years to construct.
Consultation drop-in events will be held throughout the process, while people can also submit their views online, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
In November, Cramlington and Killingworth MP Emma Foody, of Labour, warned the existing layout was "preventing business expansion, causing investment to be delayed or withdrawn".
Initial assessments by National Highways deemed the project "poor value for money", despite figures from police which revealed there were 14 accidents at or close to the roundabout since the start of 2020.
However, the upgrade was confirmed earlier this year with North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, also of Labour, saying it was a "victory for our region's drivers".
