Construction begins on a flagship seafront route to 'transform the North Tyneside coastline'

Work is set to begin on a new 8km active travel route that will transform the North Tyneside coastline.

The Seafront Sustainable Route will be a permanent, segregated, two-way safe space for pedestrians and cyclists. It will provide a safe and seamless link from North Shields Fish Quay to St Mary’s Lighthouse.

Delivered by Capita on behalf of North Tyneside Council, the scheme has received £10m in funding from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund and £1m from Sustrans, with support from Transport North East. It will greatly improve the look and feel of the coast, while better connecting communities, coastal businesses, and attractions.

Speeds will be reduced to 20mph and there will be additional traffic calming measures, including raised crossings for easier and safer access to the coast, while footpaths and large sections of the highway will be resurfaced to enhance the visitor experience.

Motorists will continue to be able to travel along the seafront in both directions, although a short one-way section will be introduced between Tynemouth’s Front Street and Longsands beach.

The project will be split into two phases. Phase one from Tynemouth Front Street to the Beach Road roundabout (adjacent to the Tynemouth Castle Inn) will begin on Monday 23 October and is expected to be complete by Spring 2024 and the full route by 2025.

Councillor Sandra Graham, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, and the council’s cycling champion said: “Since the temporary route was in use during the pandemic, there has been very strong support for a permanent active travel route along the seafront.

“This has been a highly ambitious and complicated project to develop, and the funding we have secured recognises the high quality of the scheme. It will continue the regeneration of our coastline to a similar standard seen with the revival of Spanish City and the Promenade.

“The scheme will make the seafront a safer and more pleasant place to walk and cycle, thereby increasing the number of people using sustainable forms of transport for a healthier lifestyle and helping to cut carbon emissions and improve air quality. This will support the council’s efforts to tackle climate change and achieve Carbon Net-Zero by 2030.

“It will bring substantial benefits for our community, residents, businesses, and visitors and I’m very excited to see the work begin to take shape over the coming months.”

Cllr Martin Gannon, chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, said: “Through the Active Travel Fund we have secured significant investment in our region’s active travel network which I hope will help more and more people to travel actively when they can.

“This new scheme will help local people to enjoy walking, wheeling, and cycling safely in what is understandably a very popular area. Increasing active travel use locally will help us to tackle air pollution and improve public health so I’m pleased the works are progressing, and I look forward to watching the scheme take shape.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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