More than £4m approved for bypass in Hartlepool

More than £4m has been earmarked for the Elwick Bypass in Hartlepool.

This cash was awarded at meeting of the Tees Valley Combined Authority's cabinet.

The road is designed to provide an extra route into the town and "unlock" land which can be used for housing.

At present, Hartlepool only has two main road routes in and out of the town for the A19. This new highway proposals would create a bypass for the village of Elwick and deliver an upgrade to the current Elwick North junction to the A19, to give a third route into Hartlepool.

It is hoped the scheme will relieve pressure on existing access points to allow them to support economic growth elsewhere, such as the port and three enterprise zones.

The funding from the authority, will be delivered from 2019 to 2021, and joins investment of £9.65m from Hartlepool Borough Council. The Combined Authority will also work alongside Homes England to secure a further £4.18m funding to drive the scheme forward.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said:

The Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council and Cabinet Member for the Combined Authority, Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, added: