A1: Gateshead

Mr. David Anderson
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is planning to take to reduce traffic delays on the A1 Western Bypass in Gateshead; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark
The Department for Transport and the Highways Agency are continuing work on options to address traffic pressures on the A1 Western Bypass in Gateshead, including consideration of major improvements and possible “quick wins”. In taking this work forward the Highways Agency is also liaising with officers from both Gateshead and Newcastle councils, mindful of possible complementary measures that may be introduced following Tyne and Wear region's earlier ‘People in Motion’ study.

In addition a number of smaller scale operational improvements are planned including improvements to signalisation, road markings, signing, slip roads, safety barriers and driver information.