A MAJOR roadworks and bridge scheme to improve safety and reduce conjestion is due to start on Tyneside on Thursday.

The £2m scheme will include sections of the A194(M), A184 and A19 trunk roads between Whitemare Pool and Tesco roundabout, near Boldon, South Tyneside.

Installing signals at the Tesco roundabout was identified by the Government as one of the 100 Early Action Schemes aimed at improving safety and reducing congestion at specific locations on the national road network.

Highways Agency project manager Graham Littlechild said: "This is a major scheme looking at a number of problems.

"Tesco roundabout has a poor accident record, with at least 17 personal injury accidents occurring each year over the past five years, and also suffers extensive peak hour delays.

"The accident problem is four times the national average for a junction of its type."

The Highways Agency hopes to carry out as much work as possible overnight.