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Following the formal consultation undertaken in January 2022, a decision was been made in consultation with the Cleadon and East Boldon ward members, to proceed with the Moor Lane Area, Highways Improvements.

With the decision being made to progress the scheme to the next stage, the site works will begin from the 15th October 2022.

As the scheme will include various measures, the timeline of site works will be split into phases.

Mid-October 2022: Signage for 20mph and 30mph speeds limits to be installed coinciding with operational date for Traffic Regulation order.

Mid-November 2022: Installation of gateway build-outs to start and construction to be ongoing until early December 2022.

Late-November 2022: Installation of traffic calming measures to start and construction to be ongoing until early December 2022.

Early December 2022: Construction of the Woodlands Road, junction with Whitburn Road, re-alignment and works to be ongoing until Mid-December 2022.

Advanced notice signs will be erected on the approach to the Moor Lane Area to notify the public of the upcoming works.

Should further information be required, please direct any questions to trafficandroadsafety@southtyneside.gov.uk

Following the formal consultation undertaken February 2022, a decision was been made by Road Safety Officers, in consultation with the Boldon Colliery ward members, to proceed with the scheme due to evidence of persistent speeding on Cotswold Lane.

With the decision being made to progress the scheme to the next stage, the Traffic & Road Safety team will progress the scheme week commencing 8th August 2022.

The proposals will help to reduce traffic speed and volume within the area and create a safer environment for all users. DfT (Department for Transport) has set guidance for 30mph speed limits and the speeds on Cotswold Lane currently exceed the set limits so traffic calming would be required to bring speed within compliance.

Officers have ensured that all the proposed speed cushion locations have been chosen in accordance with design guidance and standards set by the Department for Transport. This is to safeguard that motorists maintain a constant vehicle speed and are deterred from accelerating and braking between features which results in a passive style of driving, at a lower but constant speed, contributing to lower noise levels.

Should you require any information please contact trafficandroadsafety@southtyneside.gov.uk

As part of South Tyneside Council’s highways resurfacing programme, works are planned to carry out resurfacing works on Moor Lane, Cleadon from its junction with Station Approach, East Boldon in a south-easterly direction for a distance of 237 metres. In order to allow for these works to be undertaken safely, it will be necessary to introduce a Temporary Prohibition of Driving on this section of Moor Lane.

The works will commence on 6th December 2021 and are expected to take 3 days to complete. The nature of the works will not allow access for vehicles. Signs warning motorists will be erected at strategic locations prior to the works commencing. During the prohibition the alternative route for vehicular traffic is via Station Approach, Whitburn Road, West Meadows Road, Moor Lane and vice versa.

These works are not linked to the ongoing Highway Improvement scheme in the Moor Lane, Area.

Highway Improvement Schemes

The consultation period for the following schemes is now closed;

• Moor Lane Area, Highways Improvements

• Cotswold Lane, Boldon Colliery Traffic Calming Proposal

• Mountbatten Avenue, Hebburn, School Safety Zone

It is still possible to make comment on these proposal and they will be considered further if the decision is made to proceed with any formal consultation. Only comments received by the 5th November will be considered at this stage.

Officers will now collate all the information in order to make an informed decision whether to proceed with the next stage of each of the schemes.

Further updates on each of the schemes will follow in the coming weeks.

Following the first week of consultation there have been a number of questions asked about the proposed scheme. Officers have reviewed the common themes of the questions and have provided a list of frequently asked questions below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Could the original one-way scheme be implemented instead?

During the consultation for the permanent version of the one-way scheme over 500 responses were received. There has been a lot of strength of feeling both for and against the scheme. It would be very difficult for officers to continue with the legal process required to implement this scheme, due to the volume and strength of objections. Therefore, alternative options have been considered and officers believe that the new proposal is the best compromise, that will help meet the needs of all users.

Why can’t a formal footway be constructed?

To install a formal footway, it would require the purchase of private land as there is insufficient space within the adopted highway boundary. It would also require the removal of a number of trees and shrubs which would have a detrimental impact to the environment and habitats. The cost to provide such a footway is estimated in excess of £1 million. Currently there is insufficient funding to consider this option.

Why has the speed limit reduction for Moor Lane been proposed as 30mph as opposed to 20mph?

20mph zones/ speed limits are designed to be self-enforcing with average speeds of 24mph or below be the threshold. Speeds on Moor Lane are currently higher so traffic calming would be required to bring speed within compliance. Physical traffic calming measures have a requirement to be lit throughout the hours of darkness. Unfortunately, street lighting would not be possible of this section of Moor Lane due to the impact on the environment and wildlife.

Can further traffic calming measures be installed on the Quiet Lane section of Moor Lane?

Unable to install physical traffic calming on an unlit road. Street lighting could not be implemented on this road due to the environmental and wildlife impact.

What is proposed for parking for bird watching?

As part of the scheme we are considering options to improve facilities for those wishing to view Boldon Flats. Officers will work the local community to determine what improvements are needed.

Can the 20mph zone extend to Whitburn Road?

20mph zones/ speed limits are designed to be self-enforcing with average speeds of 24mph or below be the threshold. Speeds on Whitburn road are currently higher so traffic calming would be required to bring speed within compliance.

Additionally, 20mph Zones should be implemented in residential areas or in and around shops, markets, playgrounds and other areas with high pedestrian or cyclist traffic. The Department for Transport specifies that 20 zones should not include roads where vehicle movement is the primary function. Whitburn Road however is a key distributor road for not only public transport but also emergency services, with its primary function being vehicle movement.

Do speed humps cause damage to vehicles?

75 mm high humps are generally recommended by DfT and are proposed for the Moor Lane Area, Highways Improvements scheme. This dimension is within the legal requirement for road hump dimensions as specified in The Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1999'.

Vehicles travelling over road humps that conform to the regulations, at appropriate speeds should not suffer damage. Vehicle speeds within the 20mph zone should not exceed 20mph.

All motor vehicles are built to ‘Construction and Use’ Government Guidelines by their manufacturers. The ‘Construction and Use’ guidelines take into account the various driving conditions which motor vehicles are likely to encounter during everyday use, such conditions include road humps and speed cushions.

Do speed humps increase vehicle emissions?

Although some traffic management measures can result in increased emissions per vehicle, they also generally result in a reduction in the volume of traffic. Thus, even though emissions per vehicle may increase, this can be offset by the reduction in traffic. The amount of traffic in residential areas is relatively small, and traffic diverted to other roads is unlikely to have a significant effect on emissions.