Easington MP Grahame Morris makes renewed call for action over notorious A19 after yet more crashes

No-one was injured during the collisions on the A19 in east Durham between 7.30am and 7.45am.

But Easington MP Grahame Morris said the latest series of accidents reinforced the need for a review of road safety.

Earlier this month MPs signed a House of Commons motion calling for measures to improve the road and to ensure police crackdown on dangerous drivers.

Mr Morris tabled a series of Parliamentary questions calling for an inquiry into accidents on the road, which stretches from Doncaster to the junction with the A1 just north of Newcastle.

He said: “The latest accidents just north of Peterlee caused extensive disruption. How much longer will the Government ignore the needs of the North?

“The A19 is vital to the economic health of east Durham. We cannot afford our main economic highway to be repeatedly closed on a regular basis due to accidents.

“It hinders investment in our area when businesses see the main artery closed, frequent tailbacks and delays.

“For a government supposedly committed to a Northern Powerhouse I do not believe it is unreasonable to ask they consider road safety and management on the A19, and the economic consequences of accidents.

“We need to take steps to reduce the number of accidents and closures, as well as making our stretch of the A19 more resilient and able to cope when accidents do occur.”

Today's collisions included a two-vehicle collision on the A19 northbound near the A181 turn off and a collision involving two vans and a Mini on the southbound side at Easington. One man was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

There was also two-vehicle collision on the northbound side of the A19 near Blackhall and a two-vehicle collision on the northbound side, just before the A179 turn off.

Transport chiefs say the route is not high risk enough to win support for improvements from the Safer Roads Fund.