Member Article

Locals help to shape Riverside regeneration

South Tyneside residents are being invited to take part in an event this Saturday intended to help shape the future multi-million pound regeneration of the South Shields Riverside and the Rekendyke area. Model building, painting, films and a free double decker bus trip around the regeneration area are all on offer to visitors keen to get involved in the riverside revamp event organised by South Tyneside Council.

The regeneration of South Shields Riverside is a joint initiative by South Tyneside Council and One NorthEast, the plans could create 3,000 jobs over the next ten to 15 years. It is hoped that the development will be a massive boost to the local economy by creating a superb new waterfront area with housing, industry and recreation.

Councillor Iain Malcolm, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “Although regeneration on this scale only becomes possible with the support and enthusiasm of our enterprise partner One NorthEast, we genuinely believe in getting the views of local people before any formal plans are submitted or anything is agreed for such a tremendous transformation opportunity. “I’m really looking forward to seeing some very interesting and inspiring ideas coming out of Saturday’s event and I hope we will soon be in a position to move towards making these ideas become a reality.”

Councillor Eddie McAtominey, Lead Member for Jobs, Enterprise and Regeneration said: “This is the biggest single most important regeneration opportunity the Borough has ever faced. This massive development site will re-shape the riverside stretch from South Shields to Hebburn in a way that could not have been imagined in the days of the former shipyards and heavy engineering works, which previously dominated this strategically important area. “The consultants have said that once fully developed this impressive site could also attract 3,000 jobs in areas such as marine technology, leisure, tourism, research and development. This is fantastic news for South Tyneside and will no doubt serve as a catalyst for further development in the Borough.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .