|
|
|
|
|
Issued on behalf of the New Tyne Crossing
Friday 18 January 2008
|
|
| Trees and shrubs cleared for New Tyne Crossing work |
|
Work will start on clearing trees and shrubs along the line of the proposed second Tyne vehicle tunnel on Monday, January 21.
The work is being undertaken now before birds start nesting. Construction of the second vehicle tunnel is due to begin in March/April 2008.
Trevor Jackson, managing director of TT2, the Concessionaire for the New Tyne Crossing project, said: “We are absolutely committed to making as small an impact on the environment as possible before, during and after construction.
“We could not have removed trees and shrubs if breeding birds were nesting in them and that would have delayed work on this vital new river crossing.
“We have informed local people about the clearance of vegetation and have assured them that these works will be managed to the same high standards we achieved during ground investigation works last year.
“We will also work closely with the relevant local authorities to ensure that the landscape is carefully restored once construction of the second vehicle tunnel is complete in 2010.”
Councillor Tom Hanson, chair of the Tyne Tunnel Working Group, said: “Both North Tyneside and South Tyneside Councils are pleased with the professional approach of Trevor Jackson and his team, and the way they have approached consultation about these works. This augurs well for when construction starts in a couple of months’ time.”
Work on clearing vegetation will take between six and eight weeks.
Detailed maps showing the extent of the vegetation clearance are available for public viewing at the Council Offices Killingworth until 1 February; at the Council Offices, Cobalt Business Park from 4 February; and in the Reception Area of Neighbourhood Services at South Shields Town Hall.
Members of the public with any concerns about the vegetation clearance works can contact the New Tyne Crossing 24-hour Helpline number on 0191 262 4451 (Option 3).
Ends
Issued on behalf of the New Tyne Crossing by Bradley O’Mahoney Public Relations. Media contact: Richard Simpson 07821 537106, e-mail [email protected].
Note to editors:
The New Tyne Crossing is the £260 million scheme to provide a second vehicle tunnel under the River Tyne between East Howdon and Jarrow, thus dualling the A19 trunk road, and to refurbish the existing vehicle tunnel which originally opened in 1967.
The scheme is promoted by the Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Authority in partnership with North Tyneside and South Tyneside Councils.
TT2, a consortium consisting of Bouygues Travaux Publics and financial institutions HSBC Infrastructure Fund II and Bank of Scotland Corporate, was appointed in November 2007 as Concessionaire to deliver the scheme and to operate and maintain all the tunnels under the river, including the pedestrian and cycle tunnels. TT2 will provide around two-thirds of the investment required over the 30-year life of the Concession
Work on the second vehicle tunnel will start in the spring. It will open in late 2010 at which point the existing tunnel will close for refurbishment. The entire project should be completed in winter 2011.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
