[1][2] The road derives its adumbrated number from 1969 when a thoroughfare link connected South Teesside with the Lackenby Docks in Middlesbrough.

In 1960 Middlesbrough County Borough Council identified a need for the imposition of a speed limit to control congestion in the city.

Along its route the road passes several sites of local interest, including the James Cook University Hospital, and Stewart Park.

[4] However the edited version of Hansard implies that the new Labour Government re-routed the proposal in 1965 making a Compulsory Purchase Order of the required land.

In May 2016 a section of the road 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long by the Blue Bell Inn was re-surfaced by the Highways Authority at Coulby Newham.