The Government has been urged to back the long-awaited Blyth Relief Road as Northumberland County Council awaits a crucial funding decision. Planning permission has already been secured, but the project's future hinges on whether the Department for Transport will provide the necessary cash for the £60 million scheme.
Funding Decision Delayed
Previously, the council had been told that a decision would be made this month. However, at Tuesday's meeting of the council's cabinet, council bosses said a decision was now expected by the end of the summer.
Speaking at the meeting, deputy leader Coun Richard Wearmouth said: "We have applied for and been granted planning permission; we have funding in our own budget in terms of the contribution the council will make and we're awaiting the decision on Government funding, which will be within the next couple of months."
He added: "We were told earlier this year, prior to the local elections elsewhere, that we would hear in the summer. Hopefully, it isn't towards the end of September and it is before Government rises and goes for its summer holiday."
Council's Commitment
Coun Wearmouth noted that the previous Government was going to fund the entire project, but the current Government has asked councils to contribute. "We are happy to provide around 15%," he said.
Council leader Glen Sanderson added: "We have already shown our commitment to this scheme by putting a large amount of council funding towards it. This is very much being led by the council but it does require Government support. Anyone that lives on Cowpen Road will be hugely grateful when we get this road completed."
Project Details
The relief road is aimed at alleviating congestion issues. It will involve the construction of a new dual carriageway at the western end of the A1061, connecting the A192 Three Horseshoes junction and the A1061 Portland Wynd roundabout. Road widening of the existing single carriageway to dual carriageway will also be carried out along the length of the A1061. In addition, a new single carriageway link between Chase Farm Drive and Ogle Drive will be constructed.
Coun Eve Chicken, the cabinet's only representative from south east Northumberland, said: "I'm a frequent user of Cowpen Road. I'm very pleased to see this. We repeatedly see that when we get new houses built, we need the infrastructure. The Government really need to get behind us."
Chase Farm Link
Tuesday's meeting saw the cabinet give the go-ahead to change land it owns from "open space" to "highway use" for a new local connection linking Chase Farm Drive and Ogle Drive. The Chase Farm Link would see a new single carriageway highway connection created between Chase Farm Drive and Ingram Drive in Blyth, forming part of a wider package of upgrades, including the A1061 to the south of the town.
Coun Wearmouth explained: "The Chase Farm estate is 800 or so houses and the only means of access is one point on Cowpen Road. This will allow us to link up the middle and lower parts of Chase Farm into the wider road network, relieving pressure on Cowpen Road."
Environmental Considerations
The open space land to be appropriated is located within the outer edges of Isabella Heap Nature Reserve. Landscaping works are also proposed as part of the scheme, including planting of woodland edge, scattered trees, and seeding of wetland and species-rich grassland seed mixes to screen the road and improve biodiversity. The football pitch will also be relocated within the site, with improvements made to its drainage and surface to benefit users.
