The Corporate Services and Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) of Northumberland Council was scheduled to discuss the Blyth Relief Road project and review the committee's work programme. The meeting also included an update on the Forward Plan of Cabinet Decisions.

Blyth Relief Road

A presentation was scheduled to be given on the Blyth Relief Road project by S. McNaughton, Head of Strategic Transport and Climate Change, and D. Barker, Principal Engineer. The report pack indicated that the project aims to address journey time delays and traffic queuing on Cowpen Road and the A1061, which are impacting public transport and potentially constraining future economic growth in Blyth. The proposed solution involves a new Chase Farm Link road and upgrades to the A1061, including widening it to a dual carriageway.

The Chase Farm Link is planned as a single carriageway, approximately 1km in length, connecting Chase Farm Drive to Ogle Drive. This section would pass through the northern areas of the Isabella Heap Nature Reserve and involve the removal of the Isabella Footbridge and partial infilling of an old railway cutting. The proposals include grass verges, new footways, cycleways, shared use paths, and bus route provision with stops. Street lighting, new pedestrian crossings, and alterations to drainage systems, including attenuation basins, are also part of the plan. The Blyth Rangers football pitch is to be repositioned and upgraded to Sport England standards.

The A1061 section involves constructing a new dual carriageway, approximately 1.3km long, connecting the A189 Three Horseshoes roundabout to the A1061 Portland Wynd roundabout. The existing 2.8km stretch of the A1061 between Portland Wynd roundabout and the A193 Links Road roundabout will be upgraded to a dual carriageway through widening. This section will see upgrades to the Portland Wynd roundabout, dualisation of the single carriageway overbridge at Newsham Station, and upgrades to four signalised junctions. New segregated cycleways and footways are also planned. A noise barrier is proposed adjacent to the A1061 between Laverock Hall Road and the Newsham Station roundabout.

The report indicated a revised scheme cost of £59.9 million with a projected completion date of Spring 2029. The Outline Business Case (OBC) was submitted in December 2025, with a funding announcement anticipated in the summer. The report highlighted a high level of confidence in delivery, citing the planning application approval in April 2026 and ongoing land negotiations, with a compulsory purchase order (CPO) as a backstop. Detailed design was approximately 90% complete, with Phase 1 of Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) paused pending a funding announcement. A 15% match funding contribution from the council has been confirmed.

Potential delivery risks identified included legal challenges related to open space protection and CPO confirmation, as well as funding risks such as the Department for Transport (DfT) rejecting the business case or the project exceeding its allocated budget. The report also noted the potential for excessive claims under Part 1 of the Land Compensation Act and Noise Insulation Regulations. Future stakeholder engagement plans included ongoing liaison for land and licences, public and member communications, and engagement with statutory and non-statutory bodies. A timeline indicated that works were expected to commence by Autumn 2027, with completion in Spring 2029.

Corporate Services and Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme and Monitoring Report 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to review and note the work programme and monitoring report for the 2025-26 council year. This report outlines the committee's terms of reference, which include maintaining an overview of the Council's Annual Budget and Budgetary Management, reviewing the performance and strategy between the Council and Advance Northumberland, and scrutinising policies related to the Leader of Council, Finance and Value for Money, and the Deputy Leader's portfolio. The work programme for the upcoming year was also to be discussed, with specific items scheduled for future meetings, including updates on the Blyth Relief Road, Financial Performance, Debt Recovery, Regeneration, and Advance Northumberland operations.

Forward Plan of Cabinet Decisions

The committee was to note the decisions made by Cabinet since the previous meeting and review the latest Forward Plan of key decisions up to July 2026. This plan included upcoming decisions on the adoption of the North Pennines National Landscape Management Plan, appropriation of land for the Blyth Relief Road, refurbishment works at Blyth Sports Centre, financial performance reports for 2025-26, and the tendering and awarding of a contract for an Integrated Sexual Health Service for Northumberland.