Roadworks warning as Northumbrian Water confirms flood reduction project in busy South Shields road

Stock image of a men at work (roadworks) sign

Temporary traffic lights are expected to be needed after Northumbrian Water has confirmed it plans to start work in Prince Edward Road in March to reduce flooding risks in the Harton, the Nook and Cleadon Park areas.

According to the firm, the £8.5million project, which is predicted to take about a year to complete, will see larger sewers and underground storage tanks installed to improve road drainage.

The utility company added the scheme, which is intended to ‘intercept and slow down surface water runoff’ will reduce the risk of flooding for hundreds of South Tyneside families.

Project Manager Paul Davison said: “Work on this collaborative flood risk management and reduction project in the Harton, The Nook and Cleadon Park areas of South Shields is anticipated to begin in March next year.

“While construction work is expected to take up to 12 months to complete, the majority of drainage improvement work will be located off Prince Edward Road.

“As a result, we do not envisage that there will be significant or long term traffic disruption on the main A1300, other than the need for temporary traffic lights for two relatively short periods near the start and towards the end of construction work.

“We will be updating customers and stakeholders once we have finalised timings and will provide ongoing updates on progress throughout the construction period.”

In August it was revealed Northumbria Police are preparing to crack down on speeding on the A1300 John Reid Road, which joins Prince Edward Road at the junction with King George Road.

This is expected to see a mobile speed camera deployed to John Reid Road about every two weeks after a traffic survey by South Tyneside Council highlighted the number of drivers regularly breaking the 40 mph limit.

There was also a high number of collisions on the road over the last five years.

Speaking at last month’s meeting of the East Shields and Whitburn Community Area Forum (CAF), Coun Jim Foreman warned any delays to drivers caused by Northumbrian Water’s work could lead to more speeding.

Updates on the project can be found at www.nwlcommunityportal.co.uk