28 February 2003
Public Inquiry into New Tyne Crossing starts Tuesday
The Public Inquiry into the proposed £139 million New Tyne Crossing begins on Tuesday, 4 March at 10am at Jarrow Community Centre.
The Government-appointed Inspector, Mr Stuart Nixon, will hear statements and evidence from both supporters and objectors to the scheme over six weeks.
The
New Tyne Crossing is being proposed by the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport
Authority (PTA) to:
• Relieve severe congestion at the existing Tyne Tunnel and other cross-Tyne
routes
• Improve prospects for economic development
• Complete the dualling of the A19 connecting the conurbations of Tyneside,
Wearside and Teesside
• Improve safety for users.
The proposal is for the construction of a tunnel using ‘immersed tube’ technology. This will involve dredging a deep trench across the river and sinking pre-fabricated concrete sections into it. On both banks the tunnel will be constructed using conventional ‘cut and cover’ techniques. A new interchange will also be constructed in Jarrow to connect the Tyne Tunnels with the existing road infrastructure.
If the New Tyne Crossing is given the go-ahead, it will be financed, constructed and operated by a Concessionaire, a consortium of businesses. After tendering for the work, the successful consortium will take over the operation of the existing tunnels, including the cycle and pedestrian tunnels.
It is hoped that the Deputy Prime Minister will make a decision by the end of 2003 on whether or not to allow the construction of the new Tyne Crossing
If he gives the go-ahead, construction will begin in 2005 and the new tunnel will be completed by the end of 2008.
At the Public Inquiry, the PTA will be represented by Mr Stephen Sauvain QC.
Issued on behalf of Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority and its adviser Arup by Bradley O’Mahoney Public Relations. Contact Richard Simpson on 01207 272162 or 07929 594814.
Note to editors: There are no arrangements to provide the media with information
regarding progress of the Public Inquiry. Bradley O’Mahoney Public Relations
will only handle enquiries relating to the proposed scheme. Enquiries about
the Public Inquiry should be directed to the Programme Officer, Mr Ian Stearman
at [email protected]. Tel: 0191 232 8520 ext. 25183.
There will be a week’s break in the Public Inquiry between 31 March and 4 April.
The
enclosed is for guidance and background information. Further information is
available on the New Tyne Crossing website: www.newtynecrossing.info. This
also includes a link to the Public Inquiry website.
History of the New Tyne Crossing
The current vehicle tunnel was opened in 1967 and designed to carry 25000 vehicles per day. There are now around 34000 vehicles per day using the tunnel.
The existing tunnels are owned and operated by the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority. It also oversees the public transport network of Tyne and Wear, including the Metro.
Consultant Arup leads a consortium of advisers that was appointed in 1999 to review a previous feasibility study and bring forward detailed proposals for a New Tyne Crossing. The Arup-led team has considered engineering, financial, economic, financial and environmental issues relating to the New Tyne Crossing.
The application to construct the New Tyne Crossing was made to the Government under the Transport and Works Act in May 2002. In September, the Deputy Prime Minister announced his decision to hold a Public Inquiry into the scheme.
In December 2002, the dates and venue of the Public Inquiry were announced. At the same time, it was announced that Mr Stuart Nixon is to be the independent Inspector who will listen to statements and evidence from supporters and objectors and make recommendations to the Deputy Prime Minister.
It is expected he will make his recommendations later this year and a decision on whether or not the New Tyne Crossing should go ahead will be made by the Deputy Prime Minister by the end of 2003.
Meanwhile, during 2003, expressions of interest will be sought from consortia of businesses that could finance, design and construct the New Tyne Crossing, as well as operate all the tunnels.
Subject to the approval of the New Tyne Crossing by the Deputy Prime Minister, it is expected the tender will be awarded to the successful consortium in 2004. The successful consortium, known as the ‘concessionaire’, will take over immediate responsibility for running the existing tunnels and begin detailed design work on the New Tyne Crossing.
Construction is expected to start in 2005 with completion by the third/fourth quarter of 2008.
The New Tyne Crossing - what is proposed
The New Tyne Crossing will be located just east of the existing vehicle tunnel, emerging adjacent to the existing portals in East Howdon (North Tyneside) and Jarrow (South Tyneside). A new interchange will also be constructed in Jarrow to link the A19 with the existing road infrastructure more effectively.
The new crossing will be constructed using ‘immersed tube’ techniques, like the Medway Tunnel in Kent. This will involve dredging a trench across the bed of the River Tyne and lowering in prefabricated concrete sections.
The original vehicle tunnel was bored through bedrock.
The new crossing will be 1.5km long and will complete the dualling of the A19 from South Northumberland to North Yorkshire, linking the most densely populated conurbations in the region.
In preparing the proposals, the PTA and its advisers have paid particular attention to the potential environmental impact of construction on the ecology of the River Tyne (one of England’s best salmon rivers). A fish trap has been developed at Riding Mill to enable the Environment Agency to monitor fish movements in the river.
Local people have been kept informed of the scheme’s progress through meetings, newsletters, local newspapers, radio and television, and personal correspondence.
The Public Inquiry
The Public Inquiry will begin at 10am on Tuesday, 4 March 2003 at Jarrow Community Centre. It will sit from Tuesday to Friday, opening each day at 10am and adjourning at around 5pm with an hour for lunch at approximately 1pm. The Inquiry will start and adjourn earlier on Fridays
It is estimated that it will take up to six weeks to hear all the evidence.
There will be a one-week break between 31 March and 4 April when the Inquiry will not sit. It is expected the Inquiry will complete its business by 17 April.
ALL SESSIONS OF THE INQUIRY ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
A Programme Officer has been appointed to manage and co-ordinate the running of the Inquiry. He is Mr Ian Stearman.
ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES RELATING TO THE PUBLIC INQUIRY SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO MR STEARMAN.
Contact
details:
Tel: 0191 232 8520 ext. 25183.
Email: [email protected]
It is estimated that the PTA will take around two weeks to present its case for the New Tyne Crossing. Its case will be presented by barrister Mr Stephen Sauvain QC.
This will be followed by supporting evidence from South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council and North Tyneside Council.
After that, statutory bodies will give evidence, followed by other objectors to the scheme. At present there are around 20 objectors who may give evidence although this number may change if objections are withdrawn following negotiations with the PTA and its advisers.
The Inspector will invite the PTA to make a brief opening statement of about one hour. The PTA will then offer witnesses who can be questioned by the objectors and by the Inspector.
This procedure will be followed for other supporters and objectors who will also be requested to sum up their cases before standing down.
All parties taking part in the Public Inquiry have been required to provide Proofs of Evidence outlining their case. These can be viewed at the following locations:
•
Civic Centre, Newcastle
• Howdon Library
• Jarrow Town Hall
• South Shields Town Hall