The Tees Valley Mayor has launched plans to significantly improve the road network across the area.

At an event held at the Riverside Stadium on July 11, proposals were unveiled for enhanced connections across the North, with improvements to road links between the A1(M) and Teesport, and a new Tees Crossing.

An interactive panel and speakers, including Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, chairman of the Combined Authority’s transport committee, Cllr Bill Dixon, PD Ports and LEP Board Member Jerry Hopkinson and Highways England, Richard Marshall detailed how important the road network is to the local infrastructure and how these improvements will benefit businesses and residents of Tees Valley.

The public launch of the plans marks the end of an intensive process of analysis and option development, funded by the Department for Transport and the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “People have been talking about a new Tees Crossing and Darlington bypass for decades. Now we need to get this sorted – once and for all.

“A first-class road network is key to economic growth, and our roads are central to helping me deliver our ambitious plan to deliver 25,000 new jobs over the next decade.

“I hope these proposals demonstrate just how determined I am to deliver a high quality, quick and safe road network for the people and businesses of our region.”

Cllr Bill Dixon said:  “For too long, residents of Tees Valley have suffered frustrating delays where our major roads are simply not equipped to deal with the volume of traffic that they carry on a daily basis. We have set out these proposals for better transport connections across the area, providing businesses and residents with a high quality road network that is safe, less congested and more reliable.”

A series of public engagement sessions are being held to highlight the extensive improvements planned to the Tees Valley road network.