A FIELD near a village – and close to the Angel of the North – could become the base for the firm responsible for rolling out massive road improvements across the region.

Costain Jacobs Partnership has been awarded a six year contract by Highways England to deliver three multi-million pound highway projects.

Plans to improve the dual carriageway between Birtley and Coal House roundabout, which leads to Team Valley, had been due to start last year but work was delayed to focus resources on upgrading the A19 around Sunderland.

The Planning Inspectorate accepted Highways England’s application for the improvements, and it is expected to start in 2021.

The scheme, which will cost £220m to £250m, proposes widening of the A1 south of Gateshead to four lanes between junction 65 and 67 on the southbound carriageway.

Now, the firm has lodged plans with Gateshead Council for a regional hub off Haggs Lane, west of Lamesley, near the Angel of the North.

A planning statement submitted to the authority said the temporary hub would include a 120-person office, a 100-person welfare building, 300 parking spaces, storage, a training room, CCTV building and materials yard. The buildings would be in place for five years after which they would be removed and the land reinstated and enhanced as a wildlife corridor. Gateshead Council is expected to decide on the hub plans by the end of April.

Other roadworks include upgrading five miles of the road between junction 74 at Scotswood and junction 79 at North Brunton and a duelling project between Morpeth and Alnwick.