Roundabout upgrade's could be up to £775m

DOCUMENTS from National Highways have laid bare the huge costs of upgrading two notorious roundabouts in Northumberland.

- By JAMES ROBINSON

The Government is facing significant pressure to improve Moor Farm and Seaton Burn Roundabouts on the A19, but is yet to commit to the project.

Leading councillors have previously claimed the scheme has been deemed poor value for money by Government officials.

The most recent business case for the upgrades, obtained by The Chronicle via a Freedom of Information request, puts forward several options at varying costs.

The most expensive choice, Option A, would have seen Seaton Burn replace with a grade-separated junction where traffic is kept at different heights to the east of the existing roundabout and then a "dumbbell" arrangement of two smaller roundabouts to the north and south.

At Moor Farm, the existing roundabout would be made larger and the A19 would pass over the roundabout to allow the free flow of traffic, while the existing road to Dudley Lane would be removed.

The cheapest option Option E would see kerb lines at Moor Farm amended and lane designation improved through better signage and road markings in a bid to tackle collisions.