Pedestrians and cyclists prioritised in major County Durham road scheme

WORK to construct a new pedestrian and cyclist footbridge across the A19 near Murton gets underway this month.

The footbridge will provide pedestrians and cyclists with a safe route across the A19, which currently severs National Cycle Route 1.

The works are part of a £13.5 million scheme to improve the A19 / A182 junction, as nearby Jade Business Park is expected to expand.
The scheme will increase capacity at the junction and at Dalton Park signals.

Not only will the work enhance the journeys of pedestrians and road users, it will also allow for the creation of a further 500,000 sq ft of commercial space and up to 2,000 jobs at the business park itself.

A computer-generated image showing the completed footbridge near Murton for pedestrians

Cou n Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “It’s fantastic to see this scheme progressing, with work to deliver a major element of the project due to start in just a few weeks.
“The introduction of a footbridge at this location will help to encourage sustainable forms of travel, both in terms of long-distance leisure rides along National Cycle Route 1 and by providing environmentally friendly and affordable ways for local residents to commute to Jade Business Park.
“Together with the wider scheme, these works will enable a key employment site in our county to grow in a sustainable way and deliver more jobs and opportunities.”

Preparatory works for the footbridge are planned to get underway on Saturday, May 18th with the following closures in place:

• The A19 will be closed in both directions overnight beneath the A182 overbridge from 8 pm on Saturday, May 18, to 6 am the following morning and from 8 pm on Sunday, May 19th to 6 am the following morning.
• The A182 overbridge will be closed from 8 pm on Saturday, May 18 to 6 am the following morning, and from 8 pm on Sunday, May 19 to 6 am the following morning.
• Further closures are planned for June to allow the new footbridge to be installed, namely:
• The A182 overbridge will be closed from 8 pm on Friday, June 7 to 6 am on Monday, June 10th.
• The A19 will close in both directions beneath the A182 overbridge from 8 pm on Saturday, June 8th to 6 am on Monday, June 10th.
• Due to the nature of the works, contingency plans are being developed in case of adverse weather conditions.
• Sign-posted diversions will be in place throughout the closures, with full details available at
• www.durham.gov.uk/A19/A182 .
• As well as the footbridge construction, the scheme will see the two existing roundabouts at either side of the A182 removed and replaced with traffic light-controlled junctions, while the roads will be widened to accommodate more lanes. Improvements will also be made to the B1285 junction next to Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination.
• For more information, visit: www.durham.gov.uk/A19/A18.