Critical upgrades are set to take place on the A19 between Norton and Wynyard thanks to a new appointment.

Highways England has struck a £63 million deal with Balfour Beatty to develop, design and deliver the carriageway scheme in the North East.

This project will see the transformation of a five-kilometre stretch of the A19 - increasing capacity from two to three lanes whilst utilising noise-reducing concrete to diminish noise-pollution in the region. 

Balfour Beatty will engage with local small and medium size businesses for all drainage, kerbing and fencing works whilst also offering 18 paid and unpaid work experience placements. At construction peak, the company will employ a workforce of 150 of which 10% will be from the local area as well as offering six apprenticeship positions.

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Phil Clifton, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty's Highways business, said: "This vital project is critical to the Government's initiative for growth in the North East of England.

"We are delighted to be able to provide the road-user with a more sustainable road network which will ease congestion and improve journey times as well as working with the local community to give back to the areas in which we operate."

Highways England project manager Keith Bradley added: "Drivers who use this busy route have had to put up with congestion, particularly during rush hour, while the road surface has caused a noise issue for people living nearby.

"Our improvements address the unreliable journey times and the noise, and allow us to support the Tees Valley economy, ahead of proposed employment and housing developments in the area."

Works are due to commence in Spring 2020 and are scheduled for completion in Spring 2022.

(CM/MH)