Highways England has announced a major road improvement programme for roads in the North East.

The £600 million scheme will take place over the next five years, aiming to cut congestion and improve journey times for motorists.

The government-owned company has a five year budget of over £11 billion to invest in England's motorways and major A roads.

Two major road schemes will be completed on the A1 and A19 in the next five years:

• A1 Coal House to Metro Centre: The £61 million scheme began in August 2014 and will add an extra lane on a four mile stretch of the A1 between junction 67 Coal House, and junction 71 Metro Centre, providing three lanes in each direction.

The number of lanes will also be increased from two to five on a third-of-a-mile section of the A1 between junction 68 at Lobley Hill and junction 69 at Gateshead Quays.

This will provide a link for local road users, helping to keep traffic moving on the A1.

• A19 Coast Road: This £100 million scheme is due to begin in Spring 2016.

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The A19 provides access to Port of Tyne and to major employment sites.

Highways England are proposing to improve the A19/A1058 Coast Road junction by upgrading the existing roundabout to a three level interchange. The project will support regeneration in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, reducing congestion, increasing capacity and improving journey times at the junction.

Benefits will include improving road safety and improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

In addition, work will also begin on four schemes:

• A19 Testos: £70 million junction improvement due to start in 2017/18. Developing a flyover to take the A19 over the Testos junction. Entry and exit slip roads will connect the A19 to the new larger roundabout.

• A19 Down Hill Lane:£40 million junction improvement due to start in 2017/18.

• A1 and A19 technology enhancement: £140 million of technology improvements which are anticipated to start in 2016, currently undergoing scheme design.

• A19 Norton to Wynyard: £140 - £220 million, road widening project to relieve congestion. Currently assessing scheme options.

Jeremy Bloom, Director of Major Projects in the North, said: "We’re investing £600m on delivering major improvements to the North East, starting or completing 6 major road schemes and carrying out further development of further 4 major schemes.

"These schemes will bring significant benefits to the users of the Strategic Road Network in the North East."

Consultation with key stakeholders, traffic and environmental surveys will begin this year with construction of the A1 North of Ellingham enhancements in advance of the dualling scheme which is planned to start in 2018.

Work continues to develop three future schemes on the A1.

These are A1 Morpeth to Ellingham dualling, A1 Scotswood to North Brunton and A1 Birtley to Coal House widening.

(LM)