Calls to upgrade roundabouts 'past breaking point'

10 hours ago

James Robinson

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Businesses have been negatively effected by traffic around the A19 roundabouts

Google Moor Farm roundabout on the A19. The roundabout is covered by trees and grass. A queue of traffic is waiting to join the roundabout on the left. — Businesses have been negatively effected by traffic around the A19 roundabouts

Government money needs to be spent to improve two busy roundabouts which are "past breaking point" due to traffic congestion, an MP has said.

Labour's Cramlington and Killingworth MP Emma Foody used a Westminster Hall debate to call for the junctions on the A19 at Moor Farm and Seaton Burn to be upgraded.

Future of Roads Minister Lillian Greenwood accepted that congestion and delays around the roundabouts "need to be addressed", but she did not commit to improving the roads.

She said new road enhancements would be "considered" as part of the future road investment strategy, which will start from 1 April.

Department for Transport (DfT) figures show between 2021 and 2024 there has been an 87% increase in delays through the northbound A19 section of Moor Farm in Northumberland and a 36% rise southbound, with an increase of 31% at Seaton Burn, North Tyneside.

This has led to more delays on the A1 for traffic joining Seaton Burn roundabout, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

MP Emma Foody brought up the roundabout problems at a Westminster Hall debate

Emma Foody MP speaking during the Westminster Hall debate. She has shoulder-length brown hair and is wearing a grey jacket and red top. Other MPs are sat listening behind her. — MP Emma Foody brought up the roundabout problems at a Westminster Hall debate

Foody said businesses including Miller UK, Fergusons Transport, George Smith and Renolit UK had seen a negative effect due to delays on the roads.

"Right now the situation at Moor Farm and Seaton Burn acts as a blocker to growth, causing misery to residents and commuters and holding back investment," she said.

Foody said earlier road investment strategies had seen upgrades made to roundabouts further south on the A19 at Silverlink and Testos.

"Surely, now is the time to finish the job and complete the junctions to the end of the A19 at Seaton Burn," she said.

"My area has seen significant housing developments in recent years. The result is that the roundabouts are past breaking point."

Labour's Blyth and Ashington MP Ian Lavery joined the debate to say people were "frightened to use the Moor Farm roundabout" and claimed traffic would get worse once a large data centre is built in Cambois.

In response, Greenwood said: "As part of last week's Spending Review, the government announced £24bn of capital funding between 2026 and 2030 to maintain and improve motorways and local roads across the country.

"That funding will allow National Highways and local authorities to deliver faster, safer and more reliable journeys. Already this year, north-east England has been provided with an extra £22m for local roads maintenance."

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