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Mark Hewitt wrote:Futuristic isn't how I'd describe it. Decades overdue more like it.
Stackabouts tend to be looked down on due to a lack of capacity for heavy turning traffic but in this case the problem lies with through traffic. A futuristic design would be a five level stack with 70mph running possible on all the slips - that would be something
How would you like your grade separations, Sir? Big and complex.
Well the current junction probably was futuristic, like the three blocks of flats that used to stand next to it, but has outlived its usefulness. However, the Silverlink and a massive increase in traffic since 1968 haven't helped.
Meanwhile I hadn't noticed that the (pre-?)application for an order for the Testos junction has been withdrawn for redesign to incorporate the Downhill Lane junction:
Construction should start soon on this, with opening in 2018:
The scheme is due to start construction in summer 2016 and will be constructed by Sisk/Lagan JV, appointed as the contractor by Highways England on 2 September 2015. The scheme is expected to take approximately two years to complete.
Great news! Used that at the weekend on the way to coming home through the tunnel, didn't have any delay but it can often back up quite considerably and it's the fear of that which puts me off using the tunnel rather than the A1.
Mark Hewitt wrote:Great news! Used that at the weekend on the way to coming home through the tunnel, didn't have any delay but it can often back up quite considerably and it's the fear of that which puts me off using the tunnel rather than the A1.
Problem is this junction now has Silverlink and Cobalt Business Park traffic to deal with, and the huge increase in traffic since 1968 to deal with. North of the A1058, the A19 isn't too bad and is less congested than the A1 Western by pass, but the Coast Rd junction is a big pain.
Down to see parents this week and noticed that they are building more retail units on site of old Moat House hotel between Silverlink access road and A19. This means more traffic coming off that roundabout.
Now I know the roundabout will by 2020 have much less traffic going round, but to build the retail units prior to the roundabout improvements sees a clearw ay to create gridlock once lane restrictions etc kick in.
Also I hope they plan to improve the silverlink distributor roads because the mini roundbout only 200 yards from A1058/A19 junction cause queues almost 7am-10pm 6 days a week
Looks good. Living south of the A1(M) A194(M) junction means we have the choice of the Tyne a Tunnel or the A1 for journies North. Most of the time we use the A1 despite the road works. Both because of the tolls and because of this junction which can often add significant delays.
If the last part of the video is anything to go by, conventional roads might be redundant by the time this project is finished since one of the cars is clearly floating down the slip road.
This is a really great scheme and, at £66.4-£85.6m, very reasonably priced given £25m-£50m only gets you rearrangement of signals and extra stacking space nowadays. More like this, please!
