MIDDLESBROUGH residents are being given the opportunity to discuss proposals for a major road improvement scheme at a key junction in the south of the town.
Middlesbrough Council recently announced a project to widen the road and upgrade traffic signals on A172 Dixons Bank and Stainton Way, known locally as the ‘Southern Cross’ junction.
Residents who would be directly affected by the works received consultation forms last month and their responses are now being analysed.
Additionally, an officer from the Council’s Transport and Infrastructure Team will be attending Marton East, Marton West and Nunthorpe Community Councils in the coming weeks to discuss the plans.
Cllr Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Economic Development and Infrastructure, said: “The Council is absolutely committed to improving our road network and journey times across the town and we believe actions speak louder than words.
“We have had some great successes recently, such as the much improved Longlands Road/King’s Road junction at The Buccaneer and the announcement of Government funding for a ‘throughabout’ at the A66 junction with Cargo Fleet Lane.
“The Southern Cross junction proposals aims to remove the current ‘pinch points’ for traffic heading north and east during the morning and evening peak periods, reducing queueing and delays at those times.
“Community Council meetings are intended to be apolitical, and our highways officer will be able to provide residents interested in the proposals with the finer details of how the changes would benefit road users and reduce traffic congestion.”
The proposals are the first as part of a wider set of measures unveiled by Middlesbrough Council last month to improve traffic flow across the town.
The existing traffic signals at the junction would be upgraded to introduce specialist software to improve their operation and, therefore, the capacity of the junction.
The proposed scheme also includes the resurfacing of both roads, improvements to the highway drainage system and improved street lighting.
The ‘toucan’ pedestrian and cycle crossing on Dixons Bank will remain, as will the existing bus laybys.
- Anyone interested in attending or finding out more about their local community council in Middlesbrough should visit https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/mayor-council-and-councillors/community-councils