'We're on road to nowhere'

Jan 9 2007 By Ross Smith, The Journal

A new survey of construction work highlights the desperate need for new infrastructure in the North-East, a development expert said last night.

Research by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors reported an increase in workload for infrastructure projects across the country over the past three months.

But in the North "growth in infrastructure workloads slowed sharply" over the period, according to the report.

RICS regional chairman Michael Henning said: "This an extremely disappointing statistic when you consider how many improvements are required to the region's road infrastructure - in particular at a time when we are trying to encourage new development and job creation.

"Whilst a single quarter statistical change can not necessarily be indicative of a general trend, it is blindingly obvious to regular users of the region's roads that there has not been any major new roads or significant upgrades for a considerable amount of time.

"With no evidence to the contrary, and examples of delays to programmed works such as the current prevarication of the Highways Agency in revealing their plans for improving the A1, it is difficult to see the infrastructure workload level doing anything other than fall in the next quarter also." The Government is delaying plans to upgrade the A1 western bypass until after a strategy for dealing with congestion in Tyne and Wear is published next year.

However, The Journal revealed yesterday that Richard Hibbert, the man leading the new strategy, believes there is no reason to link the two.

Work will start this month, though, to widen the westbound A184 Felling bypass in Gateshead to include a new bus lane.

The pedestrian footbridge at Heworth roundabout will also be replaced with a pedestrian-controlled crossing.

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WHAT IS GO FOR JOBS?
It is a campaign backed by The Journal, our sister paper the Evening Gazette and the North-East Chamber of Commerce. It was prompted by the Highways Agency's use of Article 14 to stop business developments, potentially creating thousands of jobs, if they involve adding more cars to the A1 or A19.

WHAT IS AN ARTICLE 14?
It is a piece of legislation which allows the agency to block planning applications where they could add more traffic to congested roads.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?
It may be valid in areas where roads are already upgraded and the economy is over-heating.
But in the North-East, the transport infrastructure suffers from under-investment, and the economy has to catch up with the rest of the country. This will delay road improvements, and block new job-creating businesses, in a region that badly needs both.

WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED SO FAR?
Roads Minister Stephen Ladyman has given assurances that Article 14 notices should be used "very infrequently", and that a line should be drawn on two years of problems with the orders.

WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN NEXT?
The agency and local councils need to come up better alternatives to ease congestion.
These could include a "fast lane" on the Western bypass for through traffic, which is closed off to junctions. There also should be a robust public transport system.

HOW ABOUT THE LONG TERM?
There should be no further delay to the upgrades to the A1 and A19, with an extra lane where necessary on the Western bypass, to give Newcastle and Gateshead a comparable transport link to other major UK cities.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
Go to www.goforjobs.co.uk