Public inquiry date set for £139m Tyne tunnel project

A six-week public inquiry into a planned £139m second Tyne Tunnel will be opened in March next year.

The inquiry, which will be held at Jarrow Community Association, will discuss plans by the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority to build a two-lane tunnel under the Tyne between East Howden and Jarrow, which will be used by southbound traffic.

The passenger authority claims the tunnel must be built if congestion on the A19 is to be reduced.

Plans for the New Tyne Crossing tunnel, which would be converted to take only northbound traffic, were submitted to deputy prime minister John Prescott in May.

However the proposals are being opposed by environmental groups, including Friends of the Earth, which have welcomed the inquiry.

The Environment Agency has also had concerns about the effect of building work on the water quality of the Tyne.

Independent inspector Stuart Nixon will chair the inquiry.