Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Related pages

• Executive summary
• 1 introduction
• 2 description of the route
• 3 policy objectives
• 4 route functions
• 5 land use and development control statement
• 6 route problems and performance
• 7 route outcomes
• 8 strategy impact statement
• 9 the next steps

2 description of the route

2 Description of the Route

2.1 General Description

The route comprises the A194(M)/A184/A19 trunk road between Junction 65 on the A1(M) near Washington in the south to the A1/A19 Seaton Burn junction in the north. It begins at the bifurcation of the A1(M)/A194(M) and follows the A194(M) to White Mare Pool interchange, it then follows the A184 eastwards to Testo's roundabout. At Testo's roundabout the route then continues north along the A19 as far as the interchange with the A1 trunk road at Seaton Burn.

The study excludes the Tyne Tunnel crossing, which is operated by the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority. Although the Tunnel does not form part of the RMS, the HA has consulted with T&WPTA during the RMS.

In total the route is 27.7km (17.3 miles) in length. 6.1km (3.8 miles) of which is motorway - A194(M) - and the remainder is all-purpose dual-carriageway road with both grade separated and at-grade junctions. Route plans showing the complete route are included in Appendix B.

The A194(M)/A184/A19 trunk road forms part of the main highway link between the south and north of Tyneside (via the River Tyne Tunnel), acts as a link to the Port of Tyne and also forms an alternative route for A1(M)/A1 traffic. The route also provides access to regeneration areas on Tyneside and South East Northumberland.

Routine maintenance and operation is split between two maintaining agents. The A19 south of the Tyne is a Design, Build, Finance and Operate concession to AutoLink Concessionaires. The A194(M), A184 and A19 north of the Tyne are all managed on behalf of the HA by Aone as Managing Agent.

2.2 Description of Route Sections

The route exhibits a range of characteristics throughout its length and for the purpose of defining the Strategy the route was considered under 7 sections. The individual sections are identified below in sections 2.2.1 to 2.2.7. The overall route is shown on Route Plans in Appendix B.

Traffic flows vary along the route; the highest flows are encountered along the A184 and reduce as they move away from the Newcastle upon Tyne centre. Figure 2.1 below shows the variation in traffic flow.

A description of the environmental constraints and issues associated with each section is also included below. An Environmental Constraints Plan for the whole route is included in Appendix C.

(AADT is defined as the average annual daily traffic flow, AAWT is defined as the average annual weekday traffic flow).

Figure 2.1

2.2.1 Section 1: A194(M) (6.1km in length)

This length is dual 2 lane motorway standard. It starts by branching off the A1(M) at a limited access free flow junction and terminates at a roundabout (White Mare Pool) with the A184 which is grade-separated across the roundabout. Between are the interchanges at Albany and Follingsby.

Average daily traffic flows of 17,100 vehicles a day occur (AADT, 2000 to 2002). Investigations have revealed that HGVs make-up 9% of the traffic flow (1999 data).

Pedestrian, equestrian and disabled usage is prohibited on motorways. A number of footpaths/bridleways are located parallel to the route outside the highway boundary. Crossing of the motorway occurs on overbridges at various locations along the route.

The route crosses the River Don (a proposed cyprinid fishery) at Follingsby. It also runsmostly through greenbelt land crossing a wildlife corridor.

The Conservation Area of Springwell Village is located adjacent to Section 1. In addition, 4 Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) are also located in the vicinity of this section of the route. There are also two views of particular importance from Springwell to the coast.

The roundabout at White Mare Pool (A194M/A184) is operating above capacity thresholds, resulting in heavy delays and congestion.

2.2.2 Section 2: A184 (2.6km in length)

This length is comprised of a 2 lane dual-carriageway all-purpose road that is essentially rural in nature. It has a number of direct accesses onto the road and an atgrade right turn junction to the west of Testo's roundabout. A hardstrip is not provided.

Trunk road traffic travelling between the A194(M) and the A19 lose priority at both theWhite Mare Pool and Testo's roundabouts.

Tidal traffic flow at the am and pm peak hours occurs with light traffic flows outside of these periods. Investigations have revealed that HGVs make-up 3.5% of traffic flow (2003 data). Average daily traffic flows of 31,400 vehicles a day occur (AADT, 2000 to 2002). Agricultural traffic is also known to use this section.

The route forms part of a public transport corridor with a number of bus stops located along its length. Footpath facilities are provided along the complete length of the northern side of the road and at-grade pedestrian crossing locations occur across the dual-carriageway at bus stop locations.

Laverick Hall is a Grade II listed building and is located in close proximity to the route.The entire route length runs through greenbelt land and crosses two wildlife corridors which connect Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) with the wider network of wildlife corridors that extend throughout the area.

2.2.3 Section 3: The A19 South of the Tyne (4.1 km in length)

This section is comprised of 2 lane dual-carriageway all-purpose road with an gradeseparated interchange at Boldon Colliery and Lindisfarne. This section is becoming more urban with a number of communities located adjacent to the route. In general no direct access occurs along this section (however, there is a field access near to Testo's roundabout). A hardstrip is not provided.

The roundabout at the A185/Tyne Tunnel south portal is not part of the RMS route.

Average daily traffic flows of 27,800 vehicles a day occur (AADT, 2000 to 2002). Investigations have revealed HGVs make-up 14% of traffic flow (2003 data).

Small sections of footpath are provided along this section and several grade-separated facilities i.e. two underpasses, a footbridge and several bridges are provided for pedestrians, equestrians and disabled people to cross the road.

Within this section, the River Don is crossed by the A19 at Hedworth. There is a narrowriver floodplain associated with this river in the vicinity of the A184/A19 in Boldon andJarrow and at the point where the route crosses the river.

St. Pauls Conservation Area is located adjacent to the northern end of Section 3. It is a significant location for cultural heritage with 9 listed buildings associated with it. There is a second Conservation Area located to the west of the route at West Boldon. Both of these sites have been identified as Sites of Potential Archaeological Importance.

The Lindisfarne and South Portal roundabouts are operating above capacity thresholds resulting in heavy delays and congestion. In addition 3 sensitive receptors are located within 300m of the route (schools at Fellgate, Simonside, and Jarrow) which may experience adverse noise and air quality effects.

The route crosses two wildlife corridors, which link a number of SNCIs with an extensive network of corridors through the South Tyneside area.

2.2.4 Section 4: Tyne Tunnel Portal North Roundabout to Silverlink Junction (2.2 km in length)

This section is comprised of 2 lane dual-carriageway all-purpose road from the at-grade roundabout at Tyne Tunnel portal (north). It includes the A193 Wallsend and A1058 Silverlink grade-separated interchanges. The road is urban in nature. No direct access occurs and a hardstrip is not provided. The roundabout with the A187/north Tyne Tunnel portal is not part of the RMS route.

Average daily traffic flows of 30,400 vehicles a day occur (AADT, 2000 to 2002). Investigations have revealed that HGVs make up 7% of traffic flow (2003 data).

Small sections of footpath are provided along this section and several bridges used by pedestrians, equestrians and disabled to cross the road. At-grade crossing of the road can also take place.

The North Portal roundabout is operating above capacity thresholds resulting in heavy delays and congestion. In addition a sensitive receptor is located within 200m of the route (1 school at Howdon), which may be experiencing adverse noise and air quality affects as a result.

2.2.5 Section 5: Silverlink Junction to A186 Holystone Junction (2.9 km in length)

This section is comprised of 2 lane dual-carriageway all-purpose road with an at-grade roundabout at the A1058 Silverlink junction and a grade-separated interchange at the A186 Holystone junction. The road is elevated on an embankment through this section and is becoming rural in nature. No direct access occurs and no hardstrip is provided.

Average daily traffic flows of 31,450 vehicles a day occur (AADT, 2000 to 2002). Investigations have revealed that traffic flow is 5% HGVs (2003 data).

There is no footpath provision alongside the route (a grass verge is provided) however,there are footpaths/bridleways outside the highway boundary. Two at-grade crossing locations through gaps in the central reserve are provided, also grade-separated crossing facilities are provided.

The route crosses a wildlife corridor which links the Sites of Nature Conservation Interest at Wallsend Country Park to Silverlink Park to the east of the route.

2.2.6 Section 6: A186 Holystone Junction to Moor Farm Roundabout (5.4 km in length)

This length is 2 lane dual-carriageway, rural all-purpose road which is elevated on an embankment along part of this section. There is an at-grade roundabout at Moor Farm and a grade-separated interchange at Killingworth. No direct access occurs and no hardstrip is provided.

Average daily traffic flows of 26,350 vehicles a day occur (AADT, 2000 to 2002). Investigations have revealed that HGVs make up 6% of traffic flow (2003 data).

There is no footpath provision alongside the route (a grass verge is provided) however,there are footpaths/bridleways outside the highway boundary. Pedestrian, equestrian and disabled crossing is carried out via grade-separation.

A river floodplain associated with Seaton Burn is crossed by the A19 at Annitsford andthere is a narrow floodplain associated with Briardene Burn adjacent to the A19 at Backworth.

Backworth Conservation Area is located adjacent to the route to the east, and there are 2 other designated sites of cultural heritage value, Burradon Tower (Grade II Listed Building and SAM) and West Backworth Medieval Settlement (SAM).

The majority of this section of the route runs through greenbelt land. It also crosses a wildlife corridor which links into the wider network of wildlife corridors throughout NorthTyneside.

2.2.7 Section 7: Moor Farm Roundabout to Seaton Burn Junction (4.4 km in length)

This length is 2 lane dual-carriageway, rural all-purpose road. Junctions along this section include the at-grade Fisher Lane roundabout and Dudley grade-separated interchange. The route meets the A1(T) at the grade-separated Seaton Burn interchange. No direct access occurs. A hardstrip is provided on the verge side of the route but not on the central reserve side.

Average daily traffic flows of 24,400 vehicles a day occur (AADT, 2000 to 2002). Investigations have revealed that HGVs make up 3.5% traffic flow (2003 data).

There is no footpath provision alongside the route (grass verge is provided) however, there are footpaths/bridleways outside the highway boundary. Pedestrian, equestrian and disabled crossing is carried out via grade-separation.

There is a river floodplain associated with Sandy's Letch that runs adjacent to the A19 (T) south of Cramlington.

The route crosses two wildlife corridors, that link a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to the north of the route with an extensive network of corridors throughout the Blyth Valley and North Tyneside areas. This section of the route and the A1 at Big Waters SSSI is reported to be a road kill hot spot by the local Council, with otters and barn owls reported on the road.

There is a Grade II Listed Building, St Nicholas Church, located to the north of the route and two Areas of High Landscape Value in the vicinity of this section.