Details at yesterday’s cabinet meeting report that the road may be delayed by up to a further 3 months as costs due to inflation escalate.

At the cabinet meeting 11.04.23 the Councils Conservative Administration agreed a further 430,000 to the scheme which will see the duelling of the Laverock hall Road and a trunk section between Ogle Drive and Chase farm.

The road scheme has been an ongoing for a number of years with the original scheme three scrapped due to house builder persimmon building on the route and problems identified with the section crossing over the railway line.

A new scheme went out to consultation in 2022 which sees route 5 becoming the preferred option.

The scheme costs have more than doubled from the route three estimates at 18million to now exceeding 40 million. Northumberland County Council need to contribute 15% of the cost so the cost to the local tax payer has also increased.

Councillor Watson has been continually frustrated by the lack of information and clarification on how the scheme will progress as it is greatly tied into the Northumberland Line where the road crosses the line at Newsham.

Cllr Anna Watson said: “ Back in 2021 as soon as I was elected I asked for assurances and highlighted this schemes importance. Local members haven’t been kept up to speed. We are told to watch cabinet or search for information on the website. This is the same attitude expressed to the Leader of the Opposition, its not respectful, acceptable or how a council should work. I have asked questions at full council and been assured local members would be kept up to speed sadly like so many other things this has simply not been the case.

“With such an important large scale infrastructure need, something the former Labour Administration were working on and issued design routes and consultations in late 2016 it appears to have moved very little since then. It’s a big important part of Blyth’s future.

“All we need is some open and honest discussions with local members, so we can properly carry out our role and keep the public up to speed and support the schemes progression. Whenever that might be.”

Councillor Scott Dickinson Leader of Northumberland Labour said: “I support the frustrations of Cllr Watson and many others, information sharing with local members regardless of politics is crucial for all members to fulfil their role. I know, first hand the lack of information sharing makes it impossible at times to do your role, share information with the public and be a open and supportive Councillors with locals.

“Schemes such as these aren’t party political and should stand outside the veil of secrecy around information sharing and principles of the Council should be upheld and information sharing with local members should be far better.”