A MAJOR study is to be carried out into the feasibility of a new road or rail crossing over the River Tees.

The study follows the publication of the results of a consultation exercise, which showed that 85 per cent of businesses in the Tees Valley are in favour of the new crossing, between South Bank and Port Clarence.

Members of the Tees Valley Joint Strategy Committee met yesterday to discuss the findings of the consultation exercise, which involved seeking the views of businesses, transport operators and other interested organisations.

John Lowther, director of the Tees Valley Joint Strategy Unit, which carried out the consultation exercise, said: "The proposal for a new crossing was highlighted as a key element in the recent Tees Valley Vision study into the area's future, and the result of our consultation exercise underlines that message.

"The crossing has already been included in a package of measures announced by the Government to help deal with the impact of job losses in the steel industry."

He added: "We have support for the project from transport organisations, such as Teesside International Airport, Arriva and Freightliner, all the emergency services, and major Tees Valley companies, including Phillips Petroleum, Imperial Tankers and Terra Nitrogen.

"The North-East Chamber of Commerce, the Road Haulage Association, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and the Teesside Environmental Trust are also all behind the proposals."

The consultation asked business and other organisations about the type of crossing they would be in favour of.

Mr Lowther said: "We asked businesses if they preferred a bridge or a tunnel crossing, and the type of transport methods that should be included.

"Of those organisations which responded, 55 per cent preferred a bridge, while almost half backed a combined road and rail crossing."

Yesterday's meeting of the Joint Strategy Committee was told that the feasibility study into the plans, funded by regional development agency One NorthEast, would be carried out over the next 12 months.