Roundabout improvements will link up Wynyard for pedestrians

Traffic lights and a push-button pedestrian crossing are being installed at the Meadows roundabout.

This will create a safe pedestrian crossing route across the four lanes of the A689 dual carriageway, connecting Wynyard Village on one side and the new Wynyard Park housing development on the other. It will also improve traffic flow.

The work – which will take 14 weeks to complete – is being carried out by Hartlepool Borough Council and is being funded by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.

Councillor John Tennant, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee, said: “Along with the residents, the Rural West ward councillors and the parish councillors, we saw the pressing need for the improvements, but lacked the money to carry them out.

“Thanks to funding we were recently able to obtain from the Tees Valley Combined Authority, we are now able to press ahead with the project and our Council officers have done an excellent job of turning the plans into reality in a very short space of time.

“When these improvements are completed, pedestrians wanting to get from one side of Wynyard to the other will be able to cross the A689 safely.

“It’s good news too for drivers because the addition of traffic lights will help ease congestion and improve traffic movement at the roundabout.”

(Left to right) Councillors John Tennant, Brenda Loynes and Mike Young at the Meadows roundabout

In a joint statement, the three Rural West Ward Councillors – Councillors Brenda Loynes, Mike Young and Cameron Stokell – said: “We have worked hard to establish a quicker way of bringing these traffic light crossing works forward as in the original plans the traffic light crossing was not due for some considerable time.

“Residents working with us directly and through their respective associations along with Elwick Parish Council have delivered a solid campaign for these works.

“Huge appreciation is felt towards our Council officers and to Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and our colleagues at Stockton Borough Council who have supported the installation and therefore the future safety of residents who need to cross the A689 dual carriageway, thereby allowing them safer access to Wynyard Village amenities including the shops and school by foot."

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “These improvements to this busy Wynyard roundabout will help ease congestion and improve traffic movement, while at the same time making it much easier for pedestrians to get from one side of Wynyard to the other. I know the work will be welcomed by many.

“My plan for jobs for Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool – creating good quality local jobs for local people – can only work if we have the infrastructure in place for people to be able to access these jobs easily, therefore I am delighted we have been able to fund this work and make people’s lives better and easier.”