AN MP who campaigned for election promising to end a notorious traffic bottleneck says the Government has “put its money where its mouth is” in terms of roads funding and it is time for local councils to step up to the plate.

Newly elected Simon Clarke, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said Middlesbrough Council should bid for cash from the Government’s newly announced £1bn local roads fund in order to solve the ‘Marton Crawl’.

The Crawl, a snaking length of traffic which stacks up as drivers make their way out of Middlesbrough along Marton Road, past the town’s James Cook University Hospital and into Marton and Nunthorpe has been a frustration for motorists for years.

But 11 years after former Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon pledged to get traffic moving on the stretch the problem still remains.

A bypass for the east of the town to relieve the congestion, running from Swans Corner at Nunthorpe to Longlands in Middlesbrough, has long been mooted, however agreement over the project was never reached between Middlesbrough and its neighbour Redcar and Cleveland Council.

It was hoped a new rail halt serving the hospital would help ease the congestion, but this has only had a limited effect.

Mr Clarke said: “There’s a real opportunity for Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland Council to bid for funding and I hope and expect Middlesbrough Council in particular to explore all options to address the Marton crawl.

“The Government has put its money where its mouth is in terms of road funding and it’s up to local authorities on Teesside to step up to the plate.”

The MP said he had planned a meeting with Roads Minister Jesse Norman to set out the case for funding.

Councillor Dorothy Davison, an independent councillor for the Marton East ward, said: “The traffic is gradually getting worse, particularly as there are more houses being built.

“If there is anything that would help solve this issue I am all for it. Let's get together and start talking.”

Councillor Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for economic development, said: “Proposals have been drawn up for a scheme to alleviate pressure on the critical stretch between Ladgate Lane and Longlands and we hope to make further progress on that project in the near future.

“If the Government are able to provide additional funding to help with improvements, we will be more than willing to take advantage of that.”

Councillor Christopher Massey, deputy leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council and cabinet member for resources, said: "In light of the £63m of budget cuts which Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council have been forced to make over the last six years due to the loss of central Government funding and with a further £26m of cuts planned over the next three years we would welcome any Government investment in the borough's infrastructure.

"Redcar and Cleveland Council will continue to work closely with Middlesbrough Council and the Tees Valley Combined Authority to improve the transport infrastructure across the region.”

Other councils in the region, including Durham County Council and North Yorkshire County Council, said they welcomed the prospect of further money to improve roads in their area and were awaiting further details.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "I welcome any opportunity to bid for additional funding to upgrade our roads, including this one. 

"I'll now be working with my colleagues in the Conservative government to ensure we get our fair share of funding so that I can deliver my ambitious plans."