The construction of the £185 million New Tyne Crossing today (Thurs) faces further delay following a legal challenge to the Secretary of State's decision of 21 July.

The challenge has been made by Bryan Atkinson, who attended the Public Inquiry in 2003 and was identified by the Inspector as a representative of Friends of the Earth.

His challenge concerns the validity of the Environmental Statement which was prepared on the New Tyne Crossing.

This is bad news for users of the existing Tyne Tunnel who already face considerable delays at peak times and for businesses which need to move goods around the region efficiently. It is also bad news for local residents who face further uncertainty about the scheme.

Councillor David Wood, chairman of the Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Authority (TWPTA) which is sponsoring the New Tyne Crossing, said:

"Mr Atkinson raised concerns about waste management issues at the Inquiry. All the statutory bodies were consulted on this - including the Environment Agency and the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) - and were satisfied with our proposals.

"Our evidence was accepted by the Inspector at the Inquiry and has since been further reviewed and accepted by the Department for Transport's legal team.

"The challenge is deeply regrettable and will add to the daily frustration of the thousands of people and firms who need to cross the Tyne in the course of going about their daily business and who face unacceptable delays at present.

"It also creates further uncertainty for local residents.

"A legal challenge will inevitably cause delay to the start of work on the New Tyne Crossing but it is unclear at this stage to say to precisely what extent - although we anticipate it will be six to nine months.

"The only losers will be the people of Tyne and Wear."

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Issued on behalf of TWPTA by Bradley O'Mahoney Public Relations. Contact Clare Maxwell on 0191 281 8833 or Richard Simpson on 01207 272 162.