The original Coast Road, the road from Chillingham Road, Newcastle upon Tyne to Billy Mill, Queen Alexander Road West, Tynemouth, was opened by Col. Wilfrid Ashley, Minister of Transport, on 27 October 1927. The width was with a reinforced concrete carriageway on the north side and footpaths separated from the carriageway by verges. There was space allowed for future dualling. Four local authorities were involved in the construction of the road as well as the Ministry of Transport, which contributed 50% of the £180,000 cost. The local authorities contributed the remaining £90,000 balance in the following proportions:- Newcastle Corporation 44.7%, Tynemouth Corporation 34.1%, Wallsend Corporation and Longbenton Urban District Council 1.2%. Whitley and Monkseaton Urban District Council and Earsdon Urban District Council were party to the initial negotiations as it was then proposed to make a new branch road from Billy Mill, via Rake House Lane through the
Earsdon district direct to Whitley Bay. However Whitley Bay withdrew which thus involved the withdrawal of Earsdon Council and the branch road was deleted from the scheme. The road saved from the old route through
Longbenton. In his opening speech Lord Ashley, with it being a fine day, said that it seemed a land of perpetual sunshine and might be termed the Northern Riviera. He congratulated them on the completion of the great enterprise and enabling the citizens of Newcastle to have easier access to the charming seaside resort of Tynemouth at the end of the road. It would also help commercial enterprise.
Later upgrades The
Cradlewell Bypass at Jesmond, from Sandyford Road to Benton Bank, . It included a underpass and a 4-span viaduct over Ouse Burn adjacent to the existing Benton Bank Bridge. The cost was £15 million. ==References==