THE public will have the chance to have their say over proposals for the second Tyne Tunnel next week.

Plans for the new £120m river crossing, which will run alongside the existing tunnel, are to be displayed at a series of community exhibitions.

Staff from the consortium advising Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority (PTA) will be on hand to answer questions and gather views, while questionnaires will be distributed at each venue.

Running in conjunction with the displays will be invitation-only discussions with representatives from local communities and special interest groups, including fisheries organisations and environmentalists.

Tyne and Wear PTA deputy vice chairman Tom Hanson said: "This is the big chance for local people concerned about the impact of the new Tyne crossing to come forward and have their say or have their question answered."

The proposed new tunnel will be a two-lane immersed tube construction, built just to the east of the existing tunnel, between Howdon, North Tyneside, and Jarrow, South Tyneside.

It will be designed, built and funded by a private sector consortium, which will also operate all the tunnels once it is appointed.

A public inquiry into the tunnel development is expected to be held in the spring or summer next year.

The public can visit the exhibition at Wallsend Library, in Ferndale Avenue, next Friday, from 11am to 6.45pm, or next Saturday, between 9.30am and 4pm.

It then moves on to Jarrow Community Centre, in Cambrian Street, on Sunday, July 15, open from 10.30am to 5pm, or on Monday July 16, between 9am and 8pm