HIGHWAYS ENGLAND COMPANY LIMITED of Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, GU1 4LZ (“the Applicant”) intends to make an application (“the Application”) under Section 37 of the Planning Act 2008 to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Development Consent Order.

The Application is for the proposed improvements to the A19/A1290 Downhill Lane Junction in Sunderland.

The scheme’s main proposals in summary are:

• A new bridge will be constructed south of the existing bridge. Together with the existing bridge this will form a more traditional roundabout junction layout above the A19.

• The existing north-bound and south-bound A19 slip roads will be realigned to tie in with the new elevated roundabout arrangement. To the north of the junction, these will serve as link roads between Downhill Lane Junction and the proposed new Testos junction roundabout. The slip roads south of the junction will also be re-aligned but will continue to provide direct access to the A19.

• Routes for walkers, cyclists and horse riders will be designed to provide overall improvements in safety and connectivity where possible.

• On the west side of the junction the A1290 will be re-aligned and to the east, the layout of Downhill Lane and Washington Road will also be amended to suit the new junction

• Temporary access roads, temporary highway works, temporary construction compounds and work sites will be required during construction of the scheme.

The scheme is an Environmental Impact Assessment development (“EIA development”), as defined by The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2009. This means that the proposed works constitute development for which an Environmental Impact Assessment will be required. An Environmental Statement will therefore be submitted as part of the Application. Preliminary Environmental Information (“PEI”) forms part of the consultation material.

Consultation on the proposals will take place from Monday 11th September 2017 to Sunday 22nd October 2017. Copies of the consultation materials - including documents, plans and maps showing the nature and location of the proposed development and the PEI - will be available for inspection free of charge from Monday 11th September 2017 until Sunday 22nd October 2017 at the following locations and times:

Copies of the consultation materials also will be available online free of charge from Monday 11th September 2017 at www.highways.gov.uk/a19-testos-downhill-lane

Copies of the consultation materials may be requested during the consultation period from Highways England using the e-mail address, postal address or telephone number provided below. Please note a CD/DVD copy can be provided free of charge. Where paper copies are required there will be a fee up to a maximum of £64.00:

• By email: A19DownHillLane@highwaysengland.co.uk

• In writing: Highways England, Lateral, 8 City Walk, Leeds LS11 9AT

• By phone: 0300 470 2683

Any person may comment on the proposals or otherwise respond to this publicity. Responses must be received between Monday 11th September 2017 and Sunday 22nd October 2017. A consultation feedback form is available as part of the consultation materials. When providing your response, please include your name and address or, if you would prefer your comments to be anonymous, your postcode only. Please also confirm the nature of your interest in the scheme. Please supply any response to:

• By email: A19DownHillLane@highwaysengland.co.uk

• In writing: Highways England, Lateral, 8 City Walk, Leeds LS11 9AT

Responses must be received no later than Sunday 22nd October 2017 at 23:59

Highways England will consider and have regard to all responses when developing the application for a Development Consent Order once consultation has closed. Responses will form the basis of a Consultation Report that will be one of the factors taken into consideration by the Secretary of State when deciding whether the Application can be accepted for examination. Therefore, in providing any comment, it should be borne in mind that the substance of it may be communicated to others as part of the Consultation Report.

If you would like further information about this notice, the consultation or the scheme, please contact the project team by using one of the contact methods provided above.

Paul Ahdal, Project Manager, Highways England

4 September 2017