A PUBLIC inquiry into the proposed £139m New Tyne Crossing will start on March 4, it was announced last night.

The hearing, to be chaired by Government inspector Stuart Nixon at Jarrow Community Association is expected to last up to six weeks.

A pre-inquiry meeting, to discuss practical arrangements for the inquiry, will be held at the same venue on January 6, at 2pm. Anyone intending to present evidence at the full inquiry may attend.

The application by the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority to build the New Tyne Crossing, between Jarrow and East Howden, has attracted a welter of protest.

Campaigners against the tunnel argue that there will be a huge increase in traffic, not just on the A19 river crossing, but on adjoining roads.

Councillor Tom Hanson deputy vice-chairman of the Passenger Transport Authority, said: "The present tunnel is a bottleneck, the only stretch of single carriageway on the A19 linking the North-East's major conurbations of Tyneside, Wearside and Tees-side.

"Congestion at the existing tunnel is bad and is only going to get worse.

"The New Tyne Crossing will be a major benefit to communities on both banks of the river, as well as to people and businesses further afield."