“Moor Farm and Seaton Burn act as a blocker to growth” and cause “misery to residents and commuters”
Cramlington and Killingworth’s Emma Foody MP led a debate in Parliament today (Tuesday 17th June) on investment in Moor Farm and Seaton Burn roundabouts.
Ms Foody, who has been campaigning for investment in both roundabouts, used the debate as an opportunity to set out how they are holding back growth and causing misery to residents.
During the debate, Ms Foody shared statistics from National Highways that Moor Farm was over capacity at morning and afternoon peak and classed as being ‘oversaturated’. She also shared statistics from the Department for Transport showing that, between 2021 and 2024 there has been an 87% increase in delays through the northbound A19 section of Moor Farm and a 36% increase southbound, with an increase of 31% at Seaton Burn, as well as increased delays on the A1 due to congestion joining Seaton Burn roundabout.
The MP further shared testimonies of local businesses including Miller UK, Fergusons Transport, George Smith and RENOLIT UK, about the impact of delays and congestion on their businesses, and from Northumberland, North Tyneside and Newcastle Councils, and the North East Combined Authority about the impact that they were having on their plans for growth in the region.
Concluding the debate, Ms Foody said:
“The Government have ambitious missions to deliver growth and build the houses that our country needs. Cramlington and Killingworth, and the wider north-east, stand ready to support delivery, but right now the situation at Moor Farm and Seaton Burn acts as a blocker to growth, causing misery to residents and commuters and holding back investment.
“The voices of local people, business, councils and elected representatives is clear: we need these key junctions to be upgraded. They are holding back the enormous potential of the communities that I represent. Investing here and upgrading the roundabouts can help to deliver our missions, and I hope that this critical investment will be brought forward”
The Future of Roads Minister, responding to the debate, stated:
“I know how committed she has been to raising the importance of transport infrastructure in her constituency, frankly at every opportunity”.
“I am aware of the specific concerns of my hon. Friend the Member for Cramlington and Killingworth about the road infrastructure in her constituency, particularly the Moor Farm and Seaton Burn roundabouts, as well as the challenges that need to be addressed around congestion and the delays impacting residents and businesses.
“As part of last week’s spending review, the Government announced £24 billion of capital funding between 2026 and 2030 to maintain and improve motorways and local roads across the country. That funding will allow National Highways and local authorities to deliver faster, safer and more reliable journeys. Already this year, the north-east has been provided with an extra £22 million for local roads maintenance.
“The opportunities for new enhancements to the strategic road network will be considered in due course, as part of the future road investment strategy, which will start from 1 April next year.”
Following the debate, Ms Foody added
“I am pleased that the Minister recognised the importance of improvements to Moor Farm and Seaton Burn and that both of these remain under active consideration as part of the Road Improvement Strategy.
“Our local councils, Mayor, businesses and residents are clear that this is a priority for our region and, with the government’s changes to the Green Book and increased investment to meet the government’s growth mission, I will continue to make the case for improvements to be brought forward for Moor Farm and Seaton Burn roundabouts”.