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£51million Downhill Lane A19 Upgrade Finally Opens To Traffic
A £51.6million upgrade of the A19 is now open to traffic, the third in a series of major road improvements on the road in the North-East.
Traffic chiefs say the A19 Downhill Lane scheme will provide extra capacity on the junction between the A19 and the A1290 in Sunderland, supporting the regional economy and providing access to the planned development of the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) to the north of Nissan’s motor manufacturing plant.
Ministers say the upgrade is part of the Government’s bid to ‘build back better’ from the pandemic and level up regions across the country. It comes after the opening of the A19 Testo’s improvements in 2021. Last year also saw the completion of improvements on the A19 Norton-to-Wynyard stretch.
But what changes have there been? The A19 Downhill Lane project has seen the construction of a full roundabout at the junction and improvements made to the existing A19. New traffic signals have been installed at the Downhill junction, a new road bridge has been installed and a bridge provided for walkers, cyclists and horse riders over the main carriageway. National Highways has also improved the adjoining rights of way, which it says helps support and encourage non-polluting and healthier travel options.
Bosses say improved access off the A19 encourages drivers to stay on the strategic road, more suited to moving larger volumes of traffic, and off the local highway network, improving the environment for those that live and work in the area. National Highways will mark the latest milestone today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the new pedestrian, cyclist and equestrian footbridge.
Baroness Vere of Norbiton, Minister for Roads, said the A19 Downhill Lane improvement will be a major boost to the area’s prosperity.
“I’m delighted to see this multi-million pound scheme open for traffic,” she said.
“Our funding will provide a fantastic boost for the North East’s economy, make it easier for millions of people in the region to get around, and is a great example of how this Government is levelling up the country by enabling better access to opportunities and employment.”
It looks set to be one of ITV’s biggest dramas this year and The Hunt for Raoul Moat is being brought to screen by the same people responsible for smash hit shows Line of Duty, Bodyguard and Vigil.
It was confirmed last April that production on the series had commenced, nearly 12 years after Moat gunman shot ex girlfriend Samantha Stobbart and her new boyfriend Christopher Brown, with Brown dying from his injuries. After fleeing Samantha’s home in Birtley, Moat, who had been released from prison just days earlier, went on the run, shooting on duty policeman PC David Rathband in the face as he sat in a patrol car on the outskirts of Newcastle and leaving him blind.
From there, Moat headed for Northumberland, forcing the quiet village of Rothbury into a lockdown as police launched a frantic search for him. The hunt for Moat reached its conclusion with a tense stand-off between the killer and the police on a riverbank, with Moat eventually shooting himself and dying from his injuries as he was rushed to Newcastle General Hospital.
ITV announced three parter The Hunt for Raoul Moat almost a year ago, as filming got underway in Yorkshire, with a cast including ex Bodyguard star Matt Stokoe as Moat and Inspector George Gently actor Lee Ingeleby as police chief Neil Adamson.
ITV have yet to officially announce an release date for The Hunt for Raoul Moat, but is expected to be form part of the channel’s spring programming.
Peter Kay’s Newcastle show was thrown into chaos when three audience members fell ill.
According to the Sun the Phoenix Nights star halted his latest show and rushed to assist when he spotted a fan on the front row had become unwell and needed assistance.
Minutes later, a member of the audience was escorted out of the venue in a wheelchair.
An onlooker told the Sun: People near the front started shouting for an ambulance.
‘Peter asked if they were being serious, then he asked for the big lights to go on and stewards ran over to see what was going on.
‘He then went off stage for around 10/15 mins and one person was seen getting wheel-chaired out.’
After the situation was under control he got on with his show, but two more audience members then reportedly become unwell.
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International Women’s Day – The North East’s Most Influential Women – North East Updates
On this International Women’s Day, March 8, we highlight the extraordinary contributions made by women in the North East throughout history and the present. For hundreds of years, the women of the North East have shaped our world, and without them, things wouldn’t be the same.
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