Traffic Lights Upgrade Project Progresses at Pace

A scheme using smart technology to help reduce congestion and promote sustainable travel across South Tyneside's transport network is progressing at pace.

The Intelligent Transport System scheme involves traffic light upgrades and renewal works along the Borough's main transport corridors from Newcastle, Sunderland, the A184 through Boldon and John Reid Road.

The upgrades, which started last summer, aim to prioritise buses at key junctions to help improve bus reliability and journey times, improve traffic flows, reduce congestion affecting public transport, improve air quality and encourage more people to use public transport across the region.

Of the 29 locations across South Tyneside, 17 have been either upgraded or renewed since the scheme started last summer, with work currently underway at the Front Street/East Street junction in Whitburn.

Councillor Ernest Gibson, Lead Member for Transport and Neighbourhoods at South Tyneside Council, said: "It's fantastic to see the improvements being rolled out across the Borough.

"The new traffic lights system will provide real-time information to public transport users around the location and timings of buses.

"This will not only help to improve journey times for the travelling public but provide better signal co-ordination between junctions and pedestrian crossings, a win for all road users."

The £1.8m initiative is part of a wider investment in traffic signal control and modernising connections with almost £20m to the North East from the Transforming Cities Fund.

Led by Newcastle City Council, with support from the Tyne and Wear local authorities, the project involves prioritising bus services on up to 17 strategic bus corridors with up to 300 signal upgrades.

The South Tyneside improvements are expected to be complete by the summer.

Councillor Gibson added: "By making improvements to public transport infrastructure and creating better connections across the region we can hopefully encourage more people to ditch the car for more sustainable methods of travel.

"The scheme also supports the work we are doing to tackle climate change. Improving traffic flows and tackling congestion will help to reduce emissions and improve air quality."

For further information about South Tyneside's traffic signals improvements scheme, or the wider regional project, visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/roadimprovements