£3.7m Wolviston Interchange congestion cutting scheme completed beinging relief for drivers

The completion of a £3.7m congestion-cutting scheme is a welcome sight for Teesside drivers.

Work at the A19 and A689 Wolviston Interchange near Wynyard, is the first of four “pinch point” schemes to be completed in the North-east - which will improve journeys for those in the area.

People travelling in and around the area where the work has been ongoing, have had to deal with delays to their journey times since May this year - when the work began.

Highways Agency project manager Steve Bishop said: “This is great news for drivers in the region.

“It will have a positive impact on drivers using this important junction.

“The scheme will cut congestion and reduce journey times which will be beneficial for the local economy and will also improve safety for drivers using the junction.”

As well as cutting down on traffic jams, drivers will notice other changes.

Full-time traffic signals are now in operation on the roundabout and the eastbound and westbound A689 approaches to the A19 junction have been widened from two to three lanes.

Improvements have also been made to the existing southbound entry slip road onto the A19.

A new pedestrian route has been provided on the northern side of the junction, with signal controlled crossings over the A19 slip roads.

The existing pedestrian crossing on the A689 east of the A19 has also been converted to a signal controlled crossing.

Stockton Council’s Cabinet member for regeneration and transport Councillor Mike Smith said: “Improvements to the road network are vital as businesses in the north of our borough are continuing to develop and expand, while the number of people living in the area is also growing.

“Congestion cutting schemes like this will help to support more business start-ups, the growth of existing companies and make it easier for people to get to and from work.

“Stockton is a fantastic place to live, work and do business so I’m delighted people travelling through the Wolviston Interchange, whether it be for business or pleasure, can now do so more easily and safely.”