Plans are submitted for a £60 million dual carriageway in Blyth
A planning decision is expected later in the summer
Last updated 13th Jun 2025
Plans have been submitted for a much-needed relief road in Blyth in a major step forward for the priority project. The scheme, which is expected to cost £59.9 million, will help ease congestion at peak times on routes in and out of the town.
The project will involve the construction of a new dual carriageway and road widening of the existing single carriageway to dual carriageway along the length of the A1061. In addition, it is proposed to construct a new single carriageway link between Chase Farm Drive and Ogle Drive.
The council is continuing to press for funding from central Government, with this expected to be confirmed in the autumn. Following on from this, construction is slated to begin in late spring next year, lasting for around 18 months with the road expected to open in autumn 2027.
Richard Wearmouth, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Business, Growth and Regeneration, said:
“We’ve a firm commitment to the improvement and regeneration of Blyth, and have worked tirelessly to keep this scheme on track.
“A new relief road is crucial to maximise the town’s potential as an economic powerhouse and we have provided a strong strategic case to Government. The planning application shows the progress we are making on this major scheme and we remain hopeful the Government will commit to funding.
“The relief road will make journeys easier for thousands of drivers each day as well as making it more attractive to new businesses and boosting both the town and the region’s economy.”
Following feedback from the Department for Transport (DfT) last year, the council refreshed its Outline Business Case to update traffic modelling following Covid and provide more detail on how it links with other schemes in the area, such as the Northumberland Line and new cycle corridors.
The relief road would be the latest in a long line of high profile investments in the county’s largest town, following on from the Northumberland Line railway and a £95 million regeneration in the town centre. Plans have also been submitted for a multi-billion pound data centre at nearby Cambois.
Coun Daniel Carr, who represents the South Blyth ward, said:
“This is a major step in delivering a project that local residents have been asking for to ease some of the traffic on a morning and in the evening.
“Anyone who lives in Blyth knows it is really bad. It affects people coming into Blyth, including those on the school run.
“Residents know how badly the solution has been needed, particularly on Laverock Hall Road.
“I do understand there might be some opposition from some elements of Blyth. We will have discussions with everybody.
“I’m just hopeful that we can keep to the timescales, but I am aware things don’t always go to plan.”
With the planning application now submitted, further consultation will take place before a planning decision is expected later this summer.