A185 Jarrow-Hebburn road closure warning as work gets underway on congestion-busting improvements along key route

The A185 which runs through Jarrow and Hebburn. Picture c/o Google Streetview

The work, on the A185 corridor between Jarrow and Hebburn, will focus on traffic signal upgrades and improved lane markings at a number of key junctions.

South Tyneside Council chiefs say this will improve traffic flow, reduce bus journey times and, as a result, improve air quality.

The £900,000 scheme will start in the first week of January 2020 and is expected to be complete by early spring.

The work will be carried out in phases, using temporary traffic lights with lane closures.

Some overnight full closures will be required towards the end of the scheme to allow for resurfacing. There will be fully signed diversions in place.

Councillor Mark Walsh, lead member for Housing and Transport at South Tyneside Council, said: “This is a busy road with numerous junctions which can get quite congested.

“The scheme will focus on optimising signal timings and sequencing to maximise the through-put of vehicles.

“The signals are all linked to cameras at the regional traffic management centre, so can be adjusted as and when needed.

“As always, our teams will work to keep disruption to a minimum and we thank drivers in advance for their patience.”

The scheme will focus predominantly on the A185’s three strategic junctions at Albert Road, Station Road/Victoria Road West and Mill Lane, as well as the Ellison Street/Station Street.

The work will be carried out by the Council’s in-house construction team.

The scheme was awarded £645,000 from tranche 1 of the Transforming Cities Fund. The fund focuses on cycling improvements, intelligent transport solutions and bus improvements at congestion points across the network.

It comes after the council announced earlier this month how work was due to start on another South Tyneside link route.

The scheme, which was awarded £645,000 from the Transforming Cities Fund, will involve improvements to the stretch of Follingsby Lane which falls within South Tyneside boundaries.

The route runs from Gateshead, through Boldon and into Sunderland.