The Highways Agency has announced the successful completion of a congestion-busting improvement project for a stretch of the A19 in Stockton-on-Tees.

Began in May, improvements to the A19/A689 Wolviston Interchange near Wynyard have seen major widening works for the junction in recent months, with this scheme the first of four major projects being carried out in the area under the banner of the government's ongoing £317 million Pinch Point Programme.

This £3.7 million scheme will aim to benefit motorists, businesses and the whole of the local community in Stockton in the years ahead, as the increased capacity of the interchange will mean faster journeys, less likelihood of delays and safer roads for all travellers now this work has been completed.

Full-time traffic signals are now in operation for the interchange to enable better management of traffic flows, while the eastbound and westbound A689 approaches to the A19 junction have been widened from two to three lanes.

Meanwhile, a new pedestrian route has been installed along the northern side of the junction and improvements have also been made to the existing southbound entry slip road onto the A19.

Stockton Council cabinet member for regeneration and transport councillor Mike Smith commented: "Congestion cutting schemes like this will help to support more business start-ups, the growth of existing companies and make it easier for people to get to and from work.

"Stockton is a fantastic place to live, work and do business, so I'm delighted people travelling through the Wolviston Interchange, whether it be for business or pleasure, can now do so more easily and safely."

Highways Agency project manager Steve Bishop added that the Wolviston Interchange improvements are "great news" for motorists across the region and should have a considerable positive impact on the area in the coming years.