South Middlesbrough traffic to be debated in Parliament

Traffic in South Middlesbrough has got so bad, it's going to be debated in Parliament.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Simon Clarke will raise the issue of the so-called 'Marton crawl' in Westminster Hall later.

The road carries 25,000 vehicles every day and despite the council trying to keep on top it, the growing number of cars on the roads, planned housing development and ongoing building works have added more pressure.

Simon Clarke will say:

"Many people doubt that the Marton Crawl will ever be gripped – and after so many decades and so many false dawns, I understand why.

"I stand ready to raise issues with the Council and want a solution that recognises the legitimate concerns of affected residents.

"Working together with both central and local Government, I am determined to do everything we can to mitigate the Marton Crawl - strengthen my home town’s economy and make life a little bit easier for so many local people."

The council say they are looking at bidding for funding to improve the transport infrastructure around the A172 Marton Road corridor.

They want a new road between Mandale Road and Low Lane, as well as another between Longlands Road and Ladgate Lane.

Lewis Young, Executive Member of Middlesbrough Council for Economic Development and Infrastructure, said:

"In terms of big packages of money for the huge investment and infrastructure projects we have, the council doesn't have those kinds of funds.

"So it is about asking government for money - or betting yet, them devolving the money to local authorities to use it as they need to.

"We are meeting with the Secretary of State for Transport on Friday to discuss these issues, and our ask will be for money - we're not just having him here to sit round a table to talk about our plans.

"That's as serious as we are about it - we have gone to the highest level about this."