Roadworks restart in South Tyneside as lockdown restrictions eased

All planned highways work, other than urgent safety repairs and essential maintenance, was suspended in March due to resource issues as well as the Government’s introduction of strict social distancing measures to help deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

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South Tyneside Council said it has since been working with its highways contractors and partners to look at what schemes can be restarted safely in line with the restrictions in place.

These include road resurfacing, footpath improvements and major schemes.

The first schemes being restarted by highways teams are:

:: A185 traffic signal works on Park Road junction, Jarrow;

:: Concrete road bay works in Fenwick Avenue, South Shields and Owen Drive, Boldon;

:: Road resurfacing in Mill Lane, Hebburn; and

:: Concrete bay works in Horsley Vale, South Shields.

:: Follingsby Lane, Boldon.

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Councillor Mark Walsh, Lead Member for Housing and Transport, said: “Although there are far fewer vehicles on the road, it is important that the highways network remains safe and open for those still travelling, which is why we have continued to carry out safety critical works, repairing defects and dangerous potholes over the lockdown period.

“All other works were suspended, and this was the right thing to do at that time to ensure the safety of our staff, contractors, their families and the wider public.

“However, we are now moving towards resuming some of our more routine programmed works in line with the updated Government guidance and we will be looking to ensure work can be carried out quickly and efficiently as possible, with any disruption kept to an absolute minimum.”

The schemes will resume following a review of risk assessments at sites to ensure teams can operate safely under the current social distancing rules.

Councillor Walsh added: “We want to reassure people that we take the health and safety of our employees, our contractors and the public extremely seriously and have been carrying out thorough reviews of our proposed highways works to make sure current guidelines on social distancing can be observed.

“We would ask residents who see our teams out and about inspecting and working on the highway not to approach them. Please help to protect our community and the workforce by respecting social distancing so they can carry out their work safely.”

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