Triple decker's big dig approaches end

The third layer of the North East’s first ever triple decker roundabout is nearing completion and a time capsule has been buried at the site to mark the occasion. 

Highways England said work on the £75m scheme is progressing and the removal of 80,000 cubic metres of soil to create the third layer of the junction is almost complete. Further work such as drainage is also taking place.

The government-owned company has joined forces with businesses and schools in North Tyneside to capture what life is like in 2018. The time capsule has been buried on-site at the A19 Coast Road scheme with a plaque unveiled by North Tyneside mayor Norma Redfearn CBE.

Ms Redfearn said: ‘This really is history in the making. It’s a landmark project unlike any other in the North East and I’m delighted that local people have been able to get involved with filling and burying the time capsule.

‘The work to provide the new triple decker roundabout will bring benefits not just for people living here and now but for many generations to come.'

Highways England assistant project manager Steven Cox said it was not revealing the exact location of the capsule to avoid it being dug up early and ‘spoiling the surprise’ but it has been recorded by North Tyneside Council.

The remainder of the project will include upgrading 1,175 metres of existing cycleway and adding a further 247 metres of cycleway to improve access round the junction.

Work will also take place to install gantries, which will display improved signage, and surfacing of the new underpass and roundabout will be carried out.

The scheme is due to be completed by the end of March 2019.