Fully approved schemes under local transport plans for Tyne and Wear local authorities

• Scotswood Road Dualling, Newcastle (£13.2 million)
  
  Now largely complete, this scheme involved the dualling of the remaining single carriageway section of Scotswood Road between the Redheugh Bridge and Paradise. The road is a key artery, and major bus route, from Western Newcastle and the Tyne Valley into Newcastle City Centre and the scheme has helped to ease congestion along the route.
  
  As well as the dualling, the scheme has also provided greatly-enhanced cycle facilities, both on- and off-road, with links to the popular Hadrian's Cycleway.   

• Eldon Square Bus Concourse (£10.970 million)
  
  Warmly-welcomed by passengers and bus operators, the new 10-stand Eldon Square bus station replaced the previous unpopular underground facility.  Heated, staffed and with comfortable seating, the station now offers a much more comfortable environment to wait for your bus, and is directly linked to the recently-opened new mall in the northern section of Eldon Square.
  
• Sunderland Southern Radial Route, Sunderland (£21.348 million)
  
  This scheme provides a bypass of the existing A1018 between Sunderland City Centre and Ryhope. The new road has helped to reduce journey times, improve safety and provide better access to Sunderland Docks; it will also curtail the impact of heavy through traffic along the Ryhope Road residential and shopping street.

  Provisionally approved schemes under local transport plans for Tyne and Wear local authorities

• A1056 Northern Gateway, North Tyneside (£9.516 million). In the regional programme
  
  A dual carriageway bypass of the existing Sandy Lane between Gosforth Park and the A189 Spine Road at Weetslade. The scheme will help ease congestion on the existing road and provide a high quality access to the proposed business park redevelopment of the Weetslade Colliery site (see photo on the right).
  
• Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor.  Accepted, final approval awaited
  
  Sunderland City Council and Sunderland arc (Area Regeneration Company) are working in partnership to deliver the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor (SSTC) project, a key element in the regeneration of the riverside area between the A19 Hylton Bridge and the Port of Sunderland.
  
  A new river crossing will be constructed, potentially in the form of an iconic bridge spanning the River Wear and serving vehicular, cyclist and pedestrian traffic. This new bridge will provide an exciting new gateway into Sunderland city centre and will help to ease the congestion currently experienced at existing access points.
  
  Following public consultation, it has been agreed that the SSTC route will begin at the A19 / A1231 intersection, along Wessington Way, across the River Wear via the new bridge crossing at Claxheugh and travelling east towards the Port via land on the southern banks of the River Wear.
  
  Due to the sheer size and scale of the SSTC, the project has been broken up into a number of project phases.  The first phase, comprising the bridge and associated approach roads, was accepted by the Department for Transport in June 2008 at a cost of £104m, subject to a contribution of £6m from Sunderland City Council.  Final approval is likely in 2010, which could enable construction to start in 2011. 

  Costs shown are Local Transport Plan Government contributions. Gross scheme costs may be higher.

Further information is available from Government Office North East