A NORTH-East MEP has written to the Transport Secretary urging him to rapidly approve plans for a second Tyne Tunnel.

In a letter to Alistair Darling, Dr Gordon Adam, wrote: "I live virtually at the junction of the A19 and A1(M) and therefore have a good understanding of the traffic issues involved.

"I am in no doubt that the second crossing would substantially improve traffic flows and make an important contribution to economic development in the region. In the 1970s, I was a member of the Northern Economic Planning Council, so my interest in this aspect of the region's regeneration goes back quite some time.

"Before my election to the European Parliament, I was based for a while at the National Coal Board office in Whitburn, and can recall the difficulties experienced before the first tunnel was completed.

"I see a valuable comparison between the development of the Team Valley Trading Estate and the development of the A19 corridor along similar lines."

Dr Adam also urged the minister to enable action to be taken on other linked transport issues.

He appealed for work on the motorway link into North Yorkshire to be speeded up; the A19 to be given priority access and egress along its route until it joins the A1(M); roadworks on the A19 corridor to be better co-ordinated; and the dual carriageway link between Newcastle and Edinburgh to be completed.