Around 40 boreholes and test pits will be drilled and excavated on both sides of the River Tyne – at East Howdon and Jarrow - and within Howdon Basin.

The works are expected to last between two and three weeks.
 
The work is being carried out because of significant recent changes in the classification of waste arising from excavations, following the introduction of the new European Landfill Directive.

The information will give the Consortia bidding to build the new tunnel the ability to classify more accurately the materials on site to meet the requirements of these new regulations.
 
Councillor Tom Hanson, deputy chair of Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority, said: “Every effort will be made to ensure that any disruption will be kept to a minimum.

“People will see drilling rigs and other equipment but these works do not mean that work on the New Tyne Crossing itself has begun. That is not expected to start for another 18 months or so.

“Detailed information on where the site investigation works will take place will be published in a newsletter which local people will receive a few days before work begins.”

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Issued on behalf of the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority by Bradley O’Mahoney Public Relations. Media contact Richard Simpson on 07821 537106 or Felicity Amer on 0191 281 8833.