From west to east it connects Newcastle city centre with Jesmond, Heaton, Wallsend, Battle Hill, Howdon, Meadow Well, North Shields, Whitley Bay and Tynemouth.

However, it is not built to full UK standards for motorway-style roads, as it has too many entrances and exits and most of its sliproads have pedestrian crossings.

However Whitley Bay withdrew which thus involved the withdrawal of Earsdon Council and the branch road was deleted from the scheme.

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.

The 0.6 mile Cradlewell Bypass at Jesmond, from Sandyford Road to Benton Bank, was due to open in January 1996.

It included a 110 metre underpass and a 4 span viaduct over Ouse Burn adjacent to the existing Benton Bank Bridge.