Jobs announcements give further boost to new Tyne crossing
The announcements of 3,000 new jobs in North Tyneside in the past few weeks has underlined the importance of building a second vehicle tunnel under the Tyne.
A consortium led by consultants Arup has just finished the first stage of the project which is programmed to see the new tunnel built and operational by the end of 2005.
The principal reason for building a second vehicle tunnel is to remove the existing bottleneck and improve accessibility to jobs in the area.
"The recent job announcements at Orange and Atmel Corporation are great news for the whole of Tyneside," said PTA chairman Councillor Danny Marshall.
"It means there is an even greater imperative to build a second vehicle tunnel to link people and jobs on both sides of the river. At present the single carriageway tunnel is a barrier to employment because of congestion, particularly at peak times. The sooner we can build the new tunnel the better.
" A private-sector concessionaire appointed to finance and build the new tunnel and will also take responsibility for the operation of all the Tyne Tunnels, including the pedestrian and cycle tunnel.
The new tunnel will be built just to the east of the existing vehicle tunnel. A Public Inquiry into the scheme is expected to be held next October and the successful bidder will probably be selected towards the end of 2002.
Issued on behalf of Arup by Bradley O'Mahoney Public Relations Contact Richard Simpson or Daniel O'Mahoney on (0191) 281 8833