31 May 2001
New Tyne Crossing decision a major milestone for Tyne and Wear
The £100 million-plus New Tyne Crossing is to be a two-lane, immersed tube tunnel running under the river just to the east of the existing vehicle tunnel, Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority (PTA) decided today (Thursday).
The new tunnel will be financed, designed, built and operated by a consortium of private companies to be selected in December 2003 following a competitive tender. The successful consortium will take over the operation of all the Tyne Tunnels immediately upon appointment.
Work on constructing the new crossing will begin in May 2004. It is expected to open to traffic in December 2006.
A major consultation exercise will now take place with local people, special interest groups and statutory organisations to ensure that detailed plans for the crossing address concerns about its impact, both during construction and operation.
It is expected that a Public Inquiry into the new crossing will take place in the summer of 2002.
Announcing the PTA's decision, chairman Cllr Danny Marshall said: "The new tunnel will provide a significant economic boost for Tyne and Wear, effectively dualling the A19 - one of the key economic corridors in the North East."
"The PTA decided upon a two-lane tunnel of immersed tube construction after our appointed advisers led by consultants Arup looked at all the possible options. Two-lane immersed tube is the most cost-effective option and will allow tolls to be set by the concessionnaire at a level which will not deter people from using the tunnels - between £1.10 and £1.55 compared to the present toll of 80p."
When the original tunnel was opened in 1967 the toll was set at two shillings and six pence, equivalent to £1.40 at today's prices.
PTA deputy vice chairman and Jarrow councillor Tom Hanson said: "There is no doubt that a new Tyne crossing is desperately needed. South Tyneside has a high level of unemployment and North Tyneside will see thousands of jobs created over the next few years. It is vital that the people of Jarrow and South Tyneside as a whole should not have barriers between them and job opportunities."
"The chosen method of construction will impact on local communities, especially in Jarrow. I would urge local people to play a full part in the consultation exercise to ensure the effects of the scheme are mitigated as far as possible."
PTA vice chair and North Tyneside Councillor Muriel Green said: "The existing tunnel is a major bottleneck. It was designed to carry 24,000 vehicles per day and now it handles more than 35,000. The new tunnel will provide an impetus to investment along the A19 corridor from south-east Nothumberland to Teesside."
Extensive consultation will now take place to give the public and special interest groups the opportunity to express their views. Further details will be published soon.
Issued on behalf
of the PTA and its advisers by Bradley O'Mahoney Public Relations
Contact Richard Simpson or Clare Maxwell on (0191) 281 8833.
Note to editors: The consortium advising the PTA on the engineering, environmental,
legal, financial and property issues surrounding the New Tyne Crossing is
led by consultants Arup. Other members of the consortium are KPMG (financial),
Herbert Smith and Dickinson Dees (legal), Lamb & Edge (property), Posford
Haskoning(engineering).