Northumberland Labour says time has been lost and money invested by Labour now wasted while the Tory-led council run out of reasons as to why there has been no progress on the Blyth relief road.

Isabella ward councillor Anna Watson said: “Under the Labour-led administration a feasibility study looked at preferred routes for a third road into and out of Blyth. £18m was allocated in the capital programme for the chosen route.

“Persimmon has now built houses on that route so the people of Blyth are back to square one. The council needs more money from central government and are starting again with route identification. I can’t understand why Route 3 was not secured as it made the most sense.”

Labour leader Scott Dickinson said: “The situation is an absolute shambles. This road is badly needed and this was recognised by the then Labour-led council.

“Once again the council has ridden roughshod over the plans and the people of Blyth and allowed a house building programme to go ahead where there should have been a relief road.

“There is a lack of commitment to and interest in South East Northumberland investment in infrastructure, while developments have run rife and the disinterested Tories have promised but failed to keep up with the investment in infrastructure to make Blyth more appealing to visit, shop and live.”

Anna Watson added: “Many people avoid Blyth because of the inability to get in and out of the town easily which is why Labour invested five yrs ago and Tory dither and delay have now left Blyth in the worst position ever.