Category: Funding

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Businesses to shape £160m North East venture capital fund

The new JEREMIE2 venture capital fund project team is asking local business people to help shape the structure and focus of the £160m fund when it opens for business from 2016.

The JEREMIE2 project team is giving all North East-based businesses and entrepreneurs the chance to complete a short survey to help them target the new funds most effectively. The survey closes on 5 December.The results will help the team design and build a business case for JEREMIE 2. The new fund will be investing from 2016 until 2020.

The survey can be found here and includes questions about which types of businesses should be targeted, what sizes, sectors and locations of business and what types of funding are required most.

JEREMIE2 deputy project director Estelle Blanks said: “The views and experiences of the business community are all important to us in putting together evidence for JEREMIE2 in the North East.

“The more responses we have, the more targeted we can be in structuring the new funds whilst taking into account funders’ requirements. That will increase their impact on individual enterprises and on the region’s longer-term growth. The survey only takes a few minutes and it could make all the difference to future prospects for your business, once JEREMIE2 begins to invest.”

The venture capital fund, which is being developed in a unique collaboration for businesses across the region by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and Tees Valley Unlimited LEP will provide funding for growing businesses in both local enterprise partnership areas.

JEREMIE2 will expand the work of the original JEREMIE fund, which has been hailed as England’s most successful regional investment fund.
Launched in 2010, JEREMIE1 has invested nearly £110m to date in 650 North East companies and secured more than £120m in investment from the private sector.

Find out more about the JEREMIE2 venture capital fund by emailing Estelle Blanks

The development costs of JEREMIE2 project are part financed by the North East European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme,  which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs.

 

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Teal Farm Park welcomes tenants in two key sectors

Business space developer Hellens is first to repay North East LEP funding.

The developer of a new speculative £1.2 million business space completed thanks to cash from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s Investment Fund has fully repaid the £200,000 borrowed from the financing initiative after securing two new tenants.

Teal Farm Park, built on former industrial land at Washington, opened for business in February and is already filling up fast. The latest tenants come from two key growth sectors for the region – automotive supplies and the oil and gas sector.

Cam Automation Ltd is a well-established specialist in industrial automation design and manufacture, and supplies Nissan and many of the region’s automotive supply chain. Abfad Ltd installs double skin liners with vacuum leak detection monitoring to protect chemical and fuel storage tanks, and provides rope access personnel to safely work at height in the power generation, renewable, oil and gas and other heavy industry sectors. Both businesses are SMEs formerly based in the Sunderland area.

Gavin Cordwell-Smith, chief executive of the Hellens Group, the Washington based property developer and land regeneration specialist behind Teal Park, said:

“We had already let two units and these two additional lettings put us ahead of where we anticipated being at this point. The new tenants are in two key sectors for the North East and are existing businesses with a good track record that were looking for space to expand. We also have interest in the final two units, and we are hoping to make an announcement about them in the near future.”

The first phase of Teal Farm, which benefits from an excellent location close to the A19, A1 and the Nissan plant as well as the pool of skilled labour available locally, was finished shortly after securing planning permission in 2007. However, the second phase was put on hold due to the credit crunch and the difficulty Hellens faced in securing development funding.

Hellens applied to the North East LEP for a £200,000 loan from its North East Investment Fund which includes Growing Places and Regional Growth Funds, to complete the development of two terraces of industrial units. It also received a £1.1m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and invested its own money into the project.

Mr Cordwell-Smith said:

“The LEP’s help has been vital. The North East Investment Fund has done exactly what we needed it to do while we were developing the unit, which is very cash intensive. Now our units are 50 per cent let, we have been able to access more traditional funding in the form of a commercial loan from Allied Irish Bank, which has allowed us to pay back the North East LEP. The demand is there for new business units as there hasn’t been anything built in the region for some time, so there has been pent up demand as a result. We understand it’s the first full repayment of a loan, which allows the North East LEP to recycle the money and lend it out to other projects.”

Teal Farm Park Phase II development comprises four units and is expected to lead to 124 jobs when the units are fully occupied. Hellens also received a £460,000 loan from the North East Investment Fund for its West Chirton business space development in North Tyneside and expects to be in a position to repay that within the next 12-18 months.

North East LEP chairman, Paul Woolston, said:

“By securing two new tenants, both from important and growing sectors for the North East economy, Teal Farm has shown there is a need for speculative business space in region. The business park is helping to attract further investment and growth for our regional economy, and I am delighted the LEP’s Investment Fund finance was able to make completion of the park possible. Hellens has repaid the investment extremely quickly, and because this is an evergreen fund, that money will go back towards helping other schemes designed to create further growth and prosperity for the North East.”

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North East Enterprise Zone drives forward growth

North East Enterprise zone is playing a vital role in driving forward the economy, creating hundreds jobs and creating a centre of excellence for the automotive, offshore energy and low carbon sectors, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced.

Figures released today (Wednesday 12 November) show the Government’s 24 enterprise zones have created 12,530 jobs, attracted 434 new businesses and generated over £2 billion worth of private investment since opening for business.

North East Enterprise Zone has played its part in that success, creating more than 1,000 jobs and attracting new companies to the region. The zone playing a leading role in delivering low-carbon energy solutions for both the automotive and offshore sectors.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: “The North East Enterprise Zone is going strength to strength, building on the innovation and manufacturing excellence that the region is rightly famed for. These are world-class sites that really are pushing the envelope when it comes to the automotive, offshore and low carbon sectors. These 1,000 jobs are just the start and proof our enterprise zone programme is on track, driving forward the economy and delivering benefits to local communities. “

The Government opened the 24 enterprise zones in April 2012 as part of a 25-year project to rebalance the economy, offering tax incentives, simplified planning and super fast broadband.

That vision has provided a major boost to the UK construction sector with work already carried out to redevelop 85 hectares of land and deliver more than 47,000 square metres of new or refurbished floor space.

The North East Enterprise Zone is providing a real platform for existing and emerging financial companies to grow. Benefits include:

Transport for the future: The UK’s first designated area for Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles. Nissan, next to the Sunderland Enterprise Zone site, are creating the sustainable transport solutions for the next generation, with production underway of its flagship Leaf electric car. The car has been awarded both European and World Car of the Year;
Next-generation renewables: The National Renewable Energy Centre, near the zone’s Port of Blyth develops a wide range of exciting technologies, from ultra-thin silicon solar panels to tidal energy in their simulated wave environment. The centre also trains engineers working in high-wind conditions and is home to the UK’s only independent facility capable of testing 50metre long super turbine blades for wind farms; and
Coastal hub: With over half of the UK’s third generation of wind farms within reach, the North East is the UK’s prime location for offshore wind, with more than 250 firms linked to the sector. Port of Tyne is one of Europe’s top 10 car handling facilities, with hundreds of thousands of vehicles passing through the terminal every year.

One company who has already invested in the Enterprise Zone is Fraser Hydraulic Power.

Peter Fraser, director at Fraser Hydraulic Power (FHP), says expanding the company onto the Neptune Energy Park, part of the North East Enterprise Zone, has allowed the company to boost orders to his suppliers in the North East area.

FHP, who design, manufacture and install electro-hydraulic systems for the subsea, marine and offshore industries, have maintained relationships with trusted local suppliers, but the move to “newer, bigger, better” premises on the enterprise zone has allowed them to grow their business.

“As well as the much-improved manufacturing facility, the site also provides access to a deep water quay,” says Mr Fraser. “Large equipment can be delivered or mobilised directly onto our client’s vessels without needing to use public roads.

The company forecast that the move will create six jobs in 2014, followed by a further ten in 2015. This expansion will no doubt have positive knock-on effect for the local economy: FHP estimate that around 90 per cent of their suppliers are based in the North East of England.

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EU Strategy update workshops

The North East LEP European Structural and Investment Funds Strategy 2014-2020 sets out a major opportunity for driving smart, sustainable and inclusive growth across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham. Local partner involvement is essential to delivering a successful programme.

We are holding two workshop sessions to provide an update on the North East European Strategy. The Workshops are being held in Newcastle and Chester-le-Street on the Thursday 27th and Friday 28th November respectively, to update on progress of the European Strategy and to explore opportunities for potential projects.

They will provide an update on the local strategic priorities which are a key part of future investment decisions and important for developing eligible projects for the 2014-2020 European Funding programme. There will also be an update from the national programme framework and an overview of proposed application arrangements.

The second half of the workshop will include thematic breakout sessions based around innovation, business growth, sustainability, rural growth and employability, skills and inclusion. This will provide a chance for you to network with other interested partners and discuss opportunities for bringing forward consortia applications.

Newcastle, Thursday 27th November: 1.30 to 3.30pm, Castlegate NE1 2JE

Durham, Friday 28th November: 10am to 12noon, Durham County Cricket Club DH3 3QR

Please note: To help ensure that there is representation from across different sectors and areas, it is requested that no more than two individuals per organisation attend.

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£160m North East investment announces senior appointment

Work has now started so that a new £160m JEREMIE2 venture capital fund will be open for business from 2016 to provide major new investment fuelling the growth of North East businesses.

The fund, which is being developed in a unique collaboration for businesses across the region by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and Tees Valley Unlimited LEP, has unveiled Estelle Blanks as its full time Deputy Project Director. Estelle was most recently Deputy Director of the Newcastle Science City initiative.

The new programme will provide funding for growing businesses in both local enterprise partnership areas and will expand the work of the original JEREMIE fund, which has been hailed as England’s most successful regional investment fund.

Launched in 2010, JEREMIE1 has invested nearly £110m to date in 650 North East companies and secured more than £120m in investment from the private sector. Funding from the programme was instrumental in the development of Durham University spin-off Applied Graphene Materials, which was floated on the AIM last year and is now valued at £70m.

Estelle, who takes up her new role this month, said: “JEREMIE2 will build on the work of the original fund, which has provided much-needed investment for businesses across both Local Enterprise Partnership areas over the past four years. In addition it will have created 5,000 jobs and safeguarded a further 2,800 posts by the end of this year.

“Confirmation that JEREMIE2 will continue this vital financial support through loans and equity investments is hugely exciting. I am now working with the two LEPs, the project team and project board to plan for a seamless transition between the current and the new JEREMIE funds.”

The current fund provides investment through seven different funds targeting firms across a range of sectors from high growth potential start-ups to larger businesses that need cash for further development.

It is envisaged that JEREMIE2 will bring together EU structural funds, legacy returns from earlier regional schemes and financing from the European Investment Bank. Development costs for the new fund are being part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and through funding from historical legacies built up as a result of the success of previous investment initiatives in the region.

By working together, the two LEPS will be able to ensure more funding is available for businesses to increase growth and secure economic prosperity in the two LEP areas of the North East.

Paul Woolston, chair of the North East LEP, said: “Working with our colleagues at Tees Valley LEP means we will be able to promote the funding available through JEREMIE2 to businesses across the region.
“The first JEREMIE fund has made an enormous difference to the North East economy and we’re delighted the Government and the European Investment Bank are supportive of our vision to use the new fund as part of our plans to bring further growth to the region.”

Sandy Anderson, chair of Tees Valley Unlimited, said: “The JEREMIE 2 programme now has real momentum and we are committed to working with our colleagues at the North East LEP to deliver a new investment programme which will benefit growth businesses here in the Tees Valley.”

Representatives from the two enterprise partnerships and Government form part of the high-level Project Board which is working to ensure JEREMIE2 is ready to launch in 2016.

Project team leader, Andrew Mitchell, said: “This is a really important project for the two LEP areas. “We need to ensure that entrepreneurs and ambitious businesses from the Tees to the Tweed can continue to get the investment their businesses need, once the current programme comes to a close at the end of 2015.

“This is a hugely complex development and Estelle will bring the project management skills we need to ensure that we are ready to launch at the beginning of 2016.”

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New Digital Catapult Centre Announced

The Digital Catapult has today announced intention to appoint a LEP-led consortia in the North East to support national digital economy drive.

Due to open in March 2015, the Digital Catapult Centre North East & Tees Valley will be located in Sunderland and will provide a physical space for start-ups and small businesses in the creative and technology sectors to develop and showcase their digital ideas and products. They will also be able to use it to connect and collaborate with larger businesses, universities and public sector organisations.

With a united aim of generating thousands of new jobs, driving innovation at a local level and creating millions in linked investment and future funding by 2025, the three local centres will support the London King’s Cross Digital Catapult Centre which was opened today by Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for the Digital Economy.

The Digital Catapult Centre North East & Tees Valley will host a high bandwidth connection linking it with two additional centres planned for Brighton and Bradfordand also with the Digital Catapult Centre London.

The North East based consortia led by the North East LEP and Tees Valley LEP was selected following an open call for partners in July 2014 andchosen from 17 LEP and local consortia bids involving more than 50 business, local authority, SME and university partners (1).

The project will be led by Sunderland Software City on behalf the North East LEP and Tees Valley Unlimited. The consortia will focus specifically on the controlled delivery and security of data so as to increase information sharing amongst businesses and organisations and to open up new business models and revenue streams. Other key partners involved include Newcastle University, Durham University, Northumbria University, University of Sunderland and Teesside University.

Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for the Digital Economy said “It is an exciting time to be a tech business in the UK. Our digital economy is already one of the strongest markets in the world, valued at more than £100 billion. Growth areas including the Internet of Things and digital creative industries are opening up a range of new opportunities for companies in the sector.

“The new Digital Catapult Centre will provide a thriving, state-of-the-art hub for some of the country’s most innovative digital companies and entrepreneurs.”

Activity will run until March 2018, and the consortia will also be tasked with

  • Initiating and collaborating with the Digital Catapult on a range of innovative projects, designed to be accessible to start-up and SME businesses to use and learn from.
  • Creating links between universities and the local business community and networks that enable university led R&D in the Digital Catapult challenge areas to be converted into commercial market opportunities which can be prototyped and piloted by start-ups and SMEs.
  • Helping to develop the higher level skills needed to realise and exploit new data and media capabilities.

Paul Woolston, said, “The North East has a growing reputation as a hub for the digital economy in the UK. With almost 2000 businesses in the sector, including some of the most creative in the sector, a host of global brands, and the highest rate of start up outside of London and South East, this is a part of our economy which we know can contribute significantly to our plans to deliver more and better jobs.”

“The decision of the Digital Catapult to locate this centre in the North East and Tees Valley is hugely welcome. It is national acknowledgment of our current strong profile and future potential. And it means that the North East and Tees Valley will be at the forefront of a national project to break down barriers in data sharing between businesses. This will create a unique opportunity for North East businesses to be at the forefront of innovation in this area, with the potential for new business models and sources of growth for the sector as a whole to be led from our region.”

Sandy Anderson, Chairman of Tees Valley Unlimited, the LEP for Tees Valley, said: “Rapid innovation and digital technology have the potential to help diversify and transform the industrial landscape in Tees Valley.It is fantastic and exciting news for Tees Valley and the North East that we have been appointed to help strengthen the reach of this important sector.

“Being selected to help drive the digital revolution in our region will ensure that firms and entrepreneurs are able to capitalise on emerging opportunities with the Digital Catapult empowering us with the means, support and knowledge to bring ideas to fruition more speedily and effectively.”

Chris Thompson, Partnerships Director at the Digital Catapult said: “The North East consortia demonstrated a long-term commitment to supporting business creation, growth and economic impact through data-led innovation. They also clearly presented how the Catapult could add significant value to their broader local initiatives and link in with existing university, EU, national and regional funding sources. We hope to work closely with them in the next three years to encourage some truly disruptive innovations.”

The Digital Catapult initially will support the LEPs with resources and collaborative support of up to £500,000. This includes the cost of setting up the local Digital Catapult centre, costs for developing and delivering projects agreed and aligned with the Catapult’s focus areas and for use of Catapult resources to support engagement and initiatives.

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North East LEP provides loan £7m Portobello Trade Park

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership has agreed funding to help build a new £7 million trade park near the A1(M) at Birtley, which is expected to create more than 200 jobs.

Portobello Trade Park will be the first new speculative light industrial space to be provided in Gateshead for more than five years. The park, on a 6.5 acre former Greenfield site in a prime location next to the motorway and highly visible from Washington Services, will provide 15 high quality light industrial units for SMEs.

Planning permission for the new development next to Portobello Industrial Estate has been granted by Gateshead Council. Work is scheduled to start in the last week of July and be completed by May next year. Once fully occupied, the park is expected to support around 244 jobs in units ranging from 195 sq m (2,100sq ft) to 2,137sq m (23,000sq ft), in an area that suffers from a lack of suitable light industrial space.

The enterprise partnership is providing a loan of £982,000 from the North East Investment Fund to developers Ravensworth Property Developments.

Durham-based Ravensworth has also received £2.85 million from the European Regional Development Fund, £1.2 million from the bank and will self-fund the remaining £1.5 million of the project.

Ravensworth’s development manager, Geoff Clark, said: “The bank financing position is still very tight for speculative schemes for SMEs and the LEP has established a fund to lend to companies which would previously have gone to the bank.

“The North East LEP is filling the gap between the bank and public sector funding, without which speculative schemes for SMEs would not get funded. Ours is perfect scheme for them – in and out, and the money repaid quickly.

“This is a good scheme in the right place and the enterprise partnership has been very supportive.”

Ravensworth already owned the land at the gateway to Gateshead and successfully applied for a change of use to allow it to be used for employment. It has already received more than 60 speculative enquiries from prospective tenants, ranging from electrical distribution firms to warehousing and self-storage businesses.

Mr Clark said: “This will be a very much in-demand location for businesses that need to be close to the motorway. It’s a highly-visible and very attractive site.”

The enterprise partnership agreed to part-fund the development after appointing an independent surveyor to appraise the plans and listening to a presentation by Mr Clark about the benefits of the project.

North East LEP chair, Paul Woolston, said: “We are delighted to have helped fund the Portobello Trade Park with a loan from the North East Investment Fund.

“Ravensworth has a strong track record in delivering projects and this scheme ticks many of the boxes in the LEP’s priorities and objectives, including developing skills and employment; supporting enterprise and private sector business growth; and strengthening transport, connectivity and infrastructure in the region.

“The prime location of the park next to the A1(M) is an ideal location for a new business park. It’s also a very visual reminder to thousands of daily commuters about the benefits of development through the North East Investment Fund and working with the LEP.”

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£290m Growth Deal for North East

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership has secured £290m investment which will create thousands of new jobs for the North East.

The investment is part of the government’s Growth Deal, which was announced today (Monday 7 July), and provides the North East with a significant funding to take forward its plans for economic growth.

The substantial investment which will create over 4,000 new jobs and deliver £90m in additional public and private sector funding, is clear recognition from government of the North East’s ability to work in partnership and achieve its ambitious plans.

The £290m, which is the third highest allocation in the country, will support projects that were set out in the LEP’s North East Strategic Economic Plan ‘More and Better Jobs’. The plan, which builds on from Lord Adonis’s North East Independent Economic Review and was developed with local partners and businesses, provides a comprehensive plan to create sustainable and inclusive growth for the North East.

The North East’s Growth Deal will provide funding for each of the themes within the economic plan investing in projects around innovation, skills, business support, transport, developing economic assets and supporting inclusive growth.

On top of the investment the deal also includes a commitment from government to work with the enterprise partnership to bring forward plans around improving educational attainment and developing a new development and infrastructure fund for the North East.

The key features of the Growth Deal for the North East LEP are:

More jobs:

Investment in economic assets and transport: Funding for a comprehensive package of investment to ensure the North East has the infrastructure and facilities to support inward investment and regional growth. For example allowing companies involved in supplying Hitachi Rail Europe to locate close to its new facilities at Merchant Park, and a project to create rural ‘enterprise hubs’ proving flexible workspace for small businesses.

Better jobs:

Investment in innovation:
Funding for a number of projects to support technological advances in key industries, helping the North East achieve its innovation vision and become an exemplar in Smart Specialisation and open innovation. For example, Sunderland Enterprise and Innovation Hub, which will provide the first ‘Fab Lab’ in the North East.

Investment Skills:

Funding and commitment to support improving educational attainment and training available to local people in skills which are important for growing sectors including advanced manufacturing, offshore wind and low carbon energy technologies.

Paul Woolston, Chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership said: “Our economic plan ‘more and better jobs’ set an ambitious vision for the North East, to transform the economy and create more and better jobs. We are delighted that government is supporting our proposals with such a significant investment.

“Our £290m Growth Deal endorses our approach providing investment for innovation, skills, business support, transport, developing our economic assets and supporting inclusive growth. It also sets out a clear commitment to work closely with the enterprise partnership to bring forward proposals around improving educational attainment and a new development and investment fund.

“The deal will act as a catalyst to lever in substantial private and public investment. It builds on the great work that is already happening across the North East and will create more and better jobs for everyone through making, trading and innovating to provide sustainable and long term growth.

“It marks the beginning of an exciting journey for the North East, and I’m looking forward to working with our partners and government to make it happen.”

Simon Henig, Chair of the North East Combined Authority and Vice Chair of the North East LEP said: “Our successful bids to the Single Local Growth Fund are a massive vote of confidence in the North East and will potentially mean a major boost to the region’s economy. The projects will not only increase job prospects across the North East but also improve transport links to make sure that people are able to take advantage of them. The multi-million pound package of investments could bring thousands of additional permanent jobs to the region, boosting our economy for years to come.”

Andrew Hodgson, North East LEP Vice Chair and Board member lead for skills said: “The Strategic Economic Plan clearly demonstrated the essential role skills plays in driving forward long term economic growth. At the enterprise partnership we have placed the focus firmly on skills from the outset and it’s great that the Growth Deal is supporting our position.

“The business community now has a central role to play in ensuring we achieve our vision. Business leaders and our partners have already demonstrated their commitment to take forward these plans and now the Deal will provide an essential resource to help deliver them.

“At the heart of our proposals is a partnership of schools, local education authorities and businesses with a commitment to build on the recommendations of the North East Independent Economic Review to improve educational attainment across our schools. The growth deal support is the deal-maker to give it the mandate to deliver change.”

Roy Sandbach, North East LEP Innovation Champion said: “It is fantastic news that these projects have been supported through the Local Growth Fund. At the heart of our Economic Plan, the Enterprise Partnership is aiming to facilitate highly effective innovation activity by building our innovation hubs, supporting innovation-centric businesses, small and large and by providing the type of environment which can attract innovation opportunities and investments from across the globe. These 5 new developments will add considerably to our capacity to deliver this.”

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Contract awarded for A1 widening improvement works

Good news for North East road users and businesses as the Highways Agency today (3 June 2014) awards the contract for building the congestion-busting A1 Coal House to Metro Centre improvement.

Balfour Beatty will start work this summer to widen around 4 miles of the A1 Western Bypass to three lanes in both directions. As well as adding more capacity on the A1, they will build a new 0.33 mile parallel link road, for north and south-bound traffic, between Lobley Hill and A184 Gateshead Quays junctions.

Roads Minister Robert Goodwill welcomed today’s award: “Once completed in spring 2016 the £61 million A1 improvement to the Western Bypass will not only increase capacity by widening the road north to Metro Centre junction and south to Coal House junction, but will also reduce congestion and help economic growth in the area.”

Chief Executive Officer of Balfour Beatty Construction Services UK, Nicholas Pollard, said:
“Balfour Beatty is delighted with the award of the A1 Coal House to Metro Centre road improvement scheme. We are intensely committed to working hard to improve the local transport infrastructure to help support and boost the local economy.”

North East Local Enterprise Partnership board member, David Land, who has responsibility for transport, added: “Improvements to our strategic road network are a key component of our new Strategic Economic Plan, and vital for the continued prosperity of the region and creating more and better jobs.”

Leader of Gateshead Council, Cllr Mick Henry, said: “The A1 Western Bypass has become Tyneside’s key artery. When complete, these improvements will increase capacity, improve road safety and reduce journey times. This will make a significant difference to the daily lives of many and provide a real boost to our region’s economy.”

Newcastle City Councillor Nick Forbes, who also has lead responsibility for transport on the North East Combined Authority, said: “I welcome this investment in tackling congestion and speeding up journey times. It’s is just one of the benefits of the City Deal which I signed with government in 2012. Although there will be some short term disruption while the work is carried out, the improvement will be well worth the wait.”

In July, ahead of construction work starting, public exhibitions will be held to give people more information about the project and how they might be affected while this vital work is carried out. Dates and times will be announced in due course.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the scheme and registering for regular updates, can do so by visiting the scheme’s website at http://www.highways.gov.uk/A1CoalhouseMetroCentre.

The project team can be contacted directly by writing to the A1 Coal House to Metro Centre Project Team at Major Projects North, Highways Agency, Lateral, 8 City Walk, Leeds, LS11 9AT, emailing them at [email protected], or calling the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
Today, the Agency also announced the preferred option for the A19/A184 Testos junction improvement scheme, south of Newcastle.

Once completed, people using this key route in the North East will benefit from safer journeys, reduced congestion and more reliable journey times. For further information visit the project’s website http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/a19-testos-junction-improvements/.