MORE consultation events will be held over multi-million pound plans to improve the A1 in Gateshead.

A 2.5 mile stretch of the road between junction 67 at Coal House and junction 65 near Birtley is due to be widened.

Highways England said the scheme, which will cost anywhere between £250m and £350m, could get under way in late 2020.

The outline plans to improve the A1 between the Birtley and Coal House junctions follows work to turn the A1 into a three-lane carriageway between Coal House and the Metro Centre in 2016.

Highways England said the improvements will create additional capacity, improve journey times and safety and support economic growth in the region.

The consultation document said: “It will provide additional capacity by widening from three to four lanes between junction 65 and 67 on the southbound carriageway.

“Three lanes with an additional lane will help manage traffic joining and leaving the A1 between junctions on the northbound carriageway. The scheme will also look to install electronic signage to provide driver information along the road.”

Allerdene Railway Bridge, which carries the A1 over the East Coast railway line, will also be replaced as part of the project.

Highways England said the work will reduce congestion by increasing capacity for road users; improve the reliability of peoples’ journeys and reduce delays by increasing capacity on the road; make journeys safer by improving the standard and capacity of the road and support the Government’s initiative for growth in the North.

People will have a chance to have their say on the proposed upgrades and once the consultation closes, agency bosses will decide if any further changes need to be made to the plans.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: “Your views and feedback will help shape our proposal. You can either talk to the project team at one of the public consultation events or complete a questionnaire online. The public consultation events are a chance for local people to have a look at the more detailed plans we have pulled together for the proposals and to give us their feedback.

“Anyone who can’t make these events can also let us know their feedback online.”

  • Consultation closes at 23.59 on March 22. Events will be held at Birtley East Primary School on Saturday, March 3, from 10am to 4pm, and at Birtley Community Hub on Wednesday, March 7, from 4pm to 8pm, or you can submit your views by visiting www.highways.gov.uk/a1birtleytocoalhouse
  • Alternatively call 0300 470 4548 or email a1birtleytocoalhouse@highwaysengland.co.uk