Transport planning studies in Tyne and Wear over the last 20 years have consistently confirmed a growing need to provide additional capacity for vehicles crossing the River Tyne. The decision to meet this need by constructing a New Tyne Crossing was taken by the TWPTA following economic, environmental and engineering feasibility appraisals.

For motorists, the existing A19 Tyne Tunnel is the only means of crossing the River Tyne to the east of Newcastle. The A19 Corridor is the major employment area on the east side of Tyne and Wear. Major investment has taken place along the A19, particularly in North Tyneside, Sunderland and Durham. However, the existing tunnel crossing causes significant traffic congestion at certain times of the day because it is the only single lane, two way section of the A19 between Northumberland and Teesside.

Various new strategic and local employment sites are proposed along the A19 corridor.

All of the most important road crossings over the River Tyne within the urban area are now congested at peak travel times. Congestion is also occurring outside the rush hours.

The existing Tyne Tunnel was designed to provide a two-way capacity of 25000 vehicles per day (vpd). However, approximately 34 000 vpd now use the tunnel, and this figure is forecast to grow to 43 000 vpd by 2021.

The New Tyne Crossing would help to reduce considerably the delays to cars, buses and commercial vehicles that use the existing Tyne Tunnel. It would provide, in combination with the existing Tunnel, a capacity of 76 000 vpd. Consequently, journey time reliability would improve, which in turn would create suitable conditions in which to develop the crossing as an important public transport link and improve the efficiency of businesses providing goods and services by road. The attractiveness of the area to companies looking to locate and invest locally would also improve.

Queues at toll plaza

Queues on northern approach road