Press Releases

Environmentalists claim that a road condemned in a recent report as the Region's noisiest will suffer from an increased level of traffic if a new Tyne road tunnel were built.

The report, by The UK Noise Association, says that traffic in Boldon Lane, Tyne Dock, is so noisy that it interrupts services at a nearby church. Heavy goods vehicles constantly rumble down Boldon Lane to and from the nearby docks and the noise from these and other vehicles comprises a nightmare for people in Belle View Crescent.

According to The Tyne Crossings Alliance, recent reports in the local media that the South Shields road is one of the 15 noisiest in the UK confirms that the construction of a new tunnel would damage the local environment. The Alliance, which is campaigning against the construction of a second road tunnel, claims that residents living on other roads in the area would suffer the same fate if the tunnel were built. Victoria Road in Hebburn is at serious risk from increased traffic, and a proposed relief road through the Hebburn to Pelaw Riverside Park would damage a priceless natural and leisure resource in the Region.

Bryan Atkinson of the Tyne Crossings Alliance said "This demonstrates the flawed thinking of those who want to build a second Tyne road tunnel. By trying to alleviate a bottleneck it would create many more, contributing to gridlock on Tyneside's roads".

Mr Atkinson went on to say: "Rather than more road building that would create more traffic jams, noise and air pollution, the Government should concentrate on delivering its manifesto commitment to reduce road traffic".