NATIONAL Highways is investing more than £100million on improving the region's major roads over the next 12-months.

The authority has revealed the multi-million-pound package of improvement works to roads, pavements and bridges across the North East and Yorkshire as the Government continues its drive to level up transport infrastructure.

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Well-known motorways and major A-roads in the North including the M1, A1(M), M62, M18, A1, A19, A63 and A69 are all included in the planned package.

Motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians are all set to benefit from the planned works, which include road resurfacing, bridge joint replacements, improved signage and drainage.

It will also see the renewal of barriers and traffic lights and provision of facilities for those on foot, bicycles or horses.

In total, National Highways will spend more than £135 million on over 300 maintenance and renewal schemes across the region - covering a total of 670 miles.

The Northern Echo: A1 near Gateshead Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTA1 near Gateshead Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

National Highways regional director Simon Boyle said: “Hundreds of thousands of people rely on National Highways motorways and major A-roads daily for work journeys, home deliveries, the movement of goods and services or to travel to meet friends and family, so it’s essential that we keep them in a good condition to ensure safety and reliability.

“Here in Yorkshire and the North East our 670-mile network sits at the heart of the region’s infrastructure, from the motorways that span the region, to the city roads of Leeds and Newcastle, and rural single carriageways.

“Providing access to international gateways – from ports at Grimsby and Immingham and Tees and Hartlepool, to airports at Teesside and Leeds-Bradford - our road system supports business growth.

"It also brings tourism to our stunning natural, cultural and historic attractions.

“This investment means that we can continue our work to deliver the essential maintenance and vital upgrades that will help keep drivers on the move throughout the region, wherever their journey takes them.”

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This latest investment into the region’s roads follows on from last year’s essential maintenance programme which saw National Highways inject £121 million into the completion of 318 road renewal and maintenance projects.

From April 2021 to March 2022, this included the resurfacing of more than 150 lane miles of motorways and major A roads in Yorkshire and the North East.

Some 76,109 road studs were laid to help light the way for drivers, 126 bridge joints were installed, and 444 lighting improvements made. 10,699 linear meters of drainage were renewed, along with 1,831 metres of bridge parapets.

Here are some the works planned in our region over the next 12-months:

  • Renewal of traffic signals on the A64 at Rillington, Staxton and Sherburn in North Yorkshire 
  • Replacing safety barriers along the A66 between Little Burdon and Long Newton in County Durham
  • Resurfacing of the A19 between Fisher Lane and Moor Farm in Tyne and Wear
  • Resurfacing the A1 between Highfields and the Scottish border in Northumberland

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