Concerns rise over Blyth Relief Road funding after cost increases and government delays, impacting local businesses.
This road would ease traffic in Blyth. It would link the A192 and the A193 with a dual carriageway. Traffic is bad in Blyth, especially during busy times, and road work makes the problem worse.
Wearmouth stated that they will keep fighting for the funding to ensure the road project moves forward. A new road would link Chase Farm Drive, Tynedale Drive, and Ogle Drive because a previous route became impossible due to housing construction.
Anna Watson criticized Wearmouth, saying his party has controlled things for eight years but has done nothing to reduce traffic. Businesses in Blyth are struggling, and about ten businesses already left.
Watson said a planning mistake lost the original route, claiming this wasn’t Labour’s fault. The permission expired in 2020 under Conservative control, and she said the road cost has tripled.
Watson doubts the government will find the extra money. She mentioned the prior government delayed road projects, and this government delayed the relief road in March. She asked for the Ogle Drive section to be prioritized.
In 2023, Rishi Sunak promised funding for this road after canceling part of the HS2 rail project. A planning application faced significant delays, and the council planned to submit it the following April.
The council finally agreed to submit a plan in January. Wearmouth agreed with prioritizing Ogle Drive, saying the road makes little sense otherwise because Blyth would remain too disconnected.
Wearmouth feels the government may not keep Sunak’s promise and invites Watson to ask her MP for the road money. Watson responded that she would contact MPs and has raised this with the Roads Minister.