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Works to cut congestion and improve air quality along a key route in South Tyneside will get underway later this month.

The project will upgrade the junction of the A194 and Shaftesbury Avenue at the Bede Industrial Estate in Jarrow.

Work has already been ongoing as part of the wider scheme to improve cycle and pedestrian routes along this stretch of the John Reid Road.

Cllr Mark Walsh, Lead Member for Housing and Transport, said: "The A194 is a key strategic gateway in and out of South Tyneside.

"This scheme will optimise signal timings at this busy junction to improve traffic flow and alleviate congestion, as well as improving pedestrian and cycle routes

"The majority of the works will be carried out using off-peak lane closures to minimise any disruption, but we thank motorists in advance for their patience."

The works are scheduled to start next week and are expected to take around six weeks.

They will be carried out by Â鶹ÊÓƵ's in-house construction team in collaboration with the regional traffic signals service.

The council received £315k in DEFRA Air Quality Grant Funding to deliver a range of projects to improve air quality, sustainability and address climate change.