Development consent has been given to significantly enhance the capacity of the junction between the A19 and A1290 in Sunderland/South Tyneside, supporting local plans for an International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) to the north of the existing Nissan plant.
It involves the construction of a new bridge to the south of the existing (A1290) bridge across the A19. Together with the existing bridge this will form a more traditional roundabout layout above the A19. New slip roads will connect the A19 to the south. To the north, link roads will tie into the consented A19/A184 Testo's Junction Alteration.
The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by Highways England on the 25 January 2019 and accepted for examination on 22 February 2019. Following an examination during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, a recommendation was made to the Secretary of State on 17 April 2020.
The Planning Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Sarah Richards said:
This is the 91st nationally significant infrastructure project to have been examined and decided within the timescales laid down in the Planning Act 2008. The Planning Inspectorate is committed to giving local communities the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authority and other interested parties were able to participate in a 6-month long examination. The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to local views before making their recommendation.
The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation is publicly available on the National Infrastructure Planning website.
