Dated 18th July

Seven North East local authorities agreed transport schemes worth £58.1m with central government but in an 11th-hour U-turn yesterday, transport minister Norman Baker announced that the funding was to be cut to £31.1m.

That decision is a blow to three schemes in the borough including the £9.3m for a new transport hub in the centre of South Shields – a key part of the council’s £100m ‘South Shields 365’ revamp plan for the town.

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/busin...-1-5868321

Also Sunderland share of the money:

The £8million Sunderland project is one of 11 schemes by the seven North East local authorities – known as the LA7.

The programme had been expected to be allocated £58.1million, but now the Department of Transport has announced that this will be just £31.1million.

It is unclear how the reduced funding will impact the proposed improvements to three strategic junctions with the A19 in Sunderland.

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-5871070