WORK is underway on a £230,000 improvement scheme to tackle a long-standing traffic bottleneck in Hartlepool.

The scheme aims to address problems caused by vehicles parking on both sides of Hart Lane, between Jesmond Road and Sacred Heart RC Primary School.

Block-paved parking areas are being created behind properties on the northern side of Hart Lane, and single yellow lines will be put down on this side of the road to restrict on-street parking.

Councillor Peter Jackson, chairman of Hartlepool Council’s neighbourhood services committee, said: “Most people in Hartlepool would recognise this stretch of Hart Lane as being a long-running problem in terms of congestion.

“There is also a serious safety issue as vehicles travelling in opposite directions try to squeeze past each other due to the presence of parked vehicles on both sides of the road – and the situation is compounded by the presence of the primary school.”

The scheme is being funded through the Tees Valley Bus Network Improvement (TVBNI) scheme – a five-year programme of improvements to key bus routes across the Tees Valley.

A School Safety Scheme incorporating vehicle-activated signs, a 20mph speed limit and improved road markings is also proposed as part of the works.