Work progressing well on active travel route ahead of summer break
Work is progressing well on the first phase of an ambitious active travel route along the North Tyneside coast, ahead of a pause in work this summer.
The Seafront Sustainable Route will create a permanent, segregated, two-way safe space for pedestrians and cyclists along a five mile stretch of the North Tyneside coast.
It will transform the look and feel of the coast, improve public spaces, and make the seafront safer and more attractive for everyone.
The first phase of work, linking Tynemouth Front Street and Longsands, is on course for completion in June.
Work will then be put on hold during the summer to ensure that visitors, residents, and businesses can enjoy an uninterrupted summer season.
A temporary one-way system along Grand Parade will be removed upon completion of Phase One, and seafront access should immediately improve.
Work will relocate to Whitley Bay for the start of Phase Two in the autumn.
Meanwhile, some remedial work is being done to replace the tan coloured footpath surfacing near the Gibraltar Rock which was laid with some colour defects. This is due to a manufacturing fault and the replacement will be done without any cost to the council.
Councillor Sandra Graham, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency, said: “We’re making great progress on phase one of the scheme and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience while the work was carried out.
“Construction will be put on hold during the summer months and temporary restrictions will be removed, so that access will immediately improve.
“We believe this scheme will raise our award-winning coastline to new heights. It will transform how the coast looks and feels, making a big improvement to the attractiveness of our public spaces, and the seafront a safer and more inviting place for pedestrians and cyclists alike.”
“We’re confident it will be one of the most impressive examples of active travel infrastructure anywhere in the country, and we look forward to showing off the completed first phase in early summer.”
About the route:
The Seafront Sustainable Route will be a flagship active travel initiative for the North East, establishing a permanent, segregated, two-way safe space for pedestrians and cyclists.
Delivered by Capita on behalf of North Tyneside Council, the scheme has received funding from the Department of Transport’s Active Travel Fund and Sustrans, with support from Transport North East.
The aim is to greatly improve the look and feel of the coast, while also creating better connections between communities, coastal businesses and attractions. Speeds will be reduced to 20mph with additional traffic calming measures also being put in place.
These include raised crossings to make traversing the road safer and easier, while footpaths and large sections of road will be resurfaced to add to the coast’s unique aesthetic qualities. 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.