The A1 Western Bypass as it is known is a section of dual carriageway that provides both a key strategic north - south route and also local access within the Gateshead and Newcastle areas. It is often the local traffic joining and leaving at the junctions along the Bypass length that worsen the situation, similar to what has been seen on the M25.
There has been a local campaign 'Go for Jobs' which has raised concerns over how job creation may be threatened along the A1 and A19 corridors if the Highways Agency's use of their Article 14 (holding direction on planning applications).
The Highways Agency are concerned about the impact of developments adding more traffic to the Bypass and therefore have been considering the traffic impacts of new developments in detail to protect their interests for strategic transport movements and road safety. However, the Highways Agency in conjunction with Gateshead Council is looking at a 'memorandum of understanding' in regard to the assessment of traffic impact and redevelopment which includes an approach to promoting more sustainable means of travel through Travel Plans for the Team Valley Trading Estate. In effect, looking at mitigating traffic through promoting greater use of the buses and car sharing as examples.
Mayer Brown have had a number of positive meetings with the Highways Agency who are keen on taking the new approach of 'Influencing Travel Behaviour' which they have been developing on the M27 (Junction 9) in Hampshire as an example and taking it forwards as part of the transport planning process when looking at new developments in the Team Valley area.