Newcastle Labour has secured a commitment from Government to work with the city on tackling congestion on the A1 Western Bypass as part of a major new City Deal for Newcastle.
The agreement puts improvements to one of Tyneside’s most important transport routes firmly on the agenda, recognising that congestion on the A1 is holding back residents, businesses and the wider economy.
Under the City Deal, the Government will work with Newcastle, Gateshead and other local partners to develop an investment programme aimed at reducing congestion and cutting journey times on the Western Bypass.
For communities in the west of Newcastle, where residents regularly rely on the A1 and surrounding road network, progress on tackling congestion could make a significant difference to everyday journeys.
But Labour believes improving the A1 is about more than reducing queues.
Reliable transport connections are essential if Newcastle is to attract investment, support businesses, create jobs and enable new housing and regeneration.
The commitment therefore forms part of a much wider City Deal negotiated with Government to give Newcastle and the surrounding area greater ability to drive economic growth.
The deal includes plans to support the creation of up to 13,000 jobs, deliver up to 15,000 homes on brownfield land and create 500 apprenticeships over three years, alongside investment in infrastructure and Newcastle’s growing low-carbon economy.
Labour believes Newcastle must have the infrastructure needed to support those ambitions, including transport links capable of serving a growing city and wider region.
The City Deal means Newcastle will now work with Gateshead, the Department for Transport, the Highways Agency and other partners to develop proposals for tackling congestion on the Western Bypass and improving connections between the strategic and local road networks.
Council Leader Cllr Nick Forbes said: “We take our responsibilities as the regional capital very seriously and are delighted in this vote of confidence.
“Our top priority has always been to make Newcastle a working city – and the creation of up to 13,000 jobs will go a long way to achieving that.
“As well as creating jobs, this City Deal is good news on a number of other fronts. It will establish the city as a low carbon economy; deliver up to 15,000 homes on brownfield sites, reduce congestion on the A1 Western Bypass, and create 500 new apprenticeships in three years.
“Our priority now is to get on with this and make it happen on the ground as soon as possible.”