Transport schemes FAQs

Consulting allows us to make more informed decisions, builds understanding and helps address the needs and interests of current and future residents of Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough Council’s Transport and Infrastructure Service wants to ensure that its consultations are simple, clear and easy to respond to. Our improvement schemes can affect many people and businesses, and it is essential that we have a clear picture of the likely impact on all interested parties before a decision is made on whether to implement them. Consulting allows us to do this fairly, transparently and openly, so that we can proceed with a balanced view based upon all of the available evidence.

We are always looking at how we can make our consultation exercises more accessible and easier for people to respond to. This means making them concise and engaging and giving affected residents and businesses enough time to respond (please refer to Table 1 below for typical consultation periods). We have set up a dedicated e-mail address that allows anyone to contact us: transportconsultation@middlesbrough.gov.uk. Our consultations don’t always involve technical documents and, where appropriate, we will engage with you in less formal ways such as inviting you to workshops, ward surgeries, or to participate in online surveys.

The extent of any consultation exercise will depend on the type, size and scale of the proposed scheme. Consideration will always be given to the stakeholders directly affected by a scheme and their proximity to the proposed works. In cases where there are a number of potential options, the affected stakeholders will be consulted and provided with an opportunity to review all of the potential options and submit their comments. In cases where only one solution is apparent, consultation will be undertaken on that specific scheme.

We will generally consult at a stage when there is still scope to influence the outcome and/or scheme design. Considering stakeholders’ views as early as possible in the process promotes debate and helps ensure that we explore all of the available options. It is important that we consult at the right time – for example, when we have clear proposals to put forward – so that your response is as helpful for us as it is useful for you to understand our plans. The length of the consultation period will depend on the type of scheme. Table 1 below shows the typical consultation period in each case:

We will consider all responses that are received before the consultation deadline, focusing in particular on evidence provided by consultees. We will also take account of comments made during workshops, seminars or other meetings that we may hold during the consultation process. Our default medium for responses is via email, at: transportconsultation@middlesbrough.gov.uk. You are also welcome to send general feedback about the consultation to the same address.

You'll be able to get in and out of your business premises at all times during the construction period.

If we need to temporarily restrict access to the area, we'll contact you to let you know in advance.

We review all proposed schemes using a scoring matrix. This allows us to compare the costs and benefits of different schemes.

Proposed schemes are also analysed using predictive risk software.

All of our schemes score highly for potential benefits to the local area from the scheme.

Our funding comes from the Tees Valley Combined Authority's local transport plan 2023/2024 budget.

The funding is only guaranteed for this financial year. If the scheme is delayed, there is no guarantee the funding will still be available.

We carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment for every proposed scheme.

The scheme will only go ahead if it meets certain essential criteria.

There is no evidence that any of our schemes have reduced the value of properties in the area.

When we're planning new schemes, we look at the surrounding road network and current levels of traffic.

Although some schemes may increase the amount of traffic, in most cases this will be minimal, based on the current levels of traffic and the alternative routes available.

There may be a slight disturbance during the construction period.

Once construction has finished, the noise from the new scheme will be extremely low.

Yes, you'll be able to get in and out of your home at all times during the construction period.

When we're designing a scheme, we look at the parking situation.

In most cases, completed schemes have little or no impact on convenience, safety, or any other parking-related issues.

An LTN is not a road block. Pedestrians and cyclists have exactly the same access as before. Cars and vans can still access properties on the street.

The purpose of an LTN is to block through traffic, not cut houses off completely.

We take emergency service responses into account for every potential LTN site.

When we're designing an LTN scheme, we make sure there are still plenty of different routes available for the emergency services.

This means the impact on response times will be extremely low.

The aim of LTNs is to encourage people to travel by walking or cycling, rather than driving. This means traffic is taken off the roads so pollution is reduced, rather than just diverted to other areas.

Evidence has shown that local businesses may actually see increased footfall once an LTN is in place.

Safer and easier walking and cycling routes have been shown to encourage residents to visit local businesses.