Major works to reshape Whitley Bay’s Northern Promenade are well underway.
North Tyneside Council recently unveiled exciting designs for the seafront stretch – from Watts Slope, along Panama Dip and the Rendezvous Cafe area, up to Brierdene.
The blueprint includes new surfacing, seating, shelters and other facilities, with the potential to attract new shops and businesses to the area.
The project is being carried in rolling phases and the first part has seen the area around Watts Slope widened to create a new gateway where people can sit and talk and children can play.
As part of the next stage, parts of the promenade and surrounding area will have to be closed off to the public from Monday (1 August) to allow enabling works to begin and vehicles to move in and out of the site.
There will be no access to a section of the promenade between Watts Slope and Panama Skate Park while two pathways alongside the skate park and Panama Gardens will be closed.
Pedestrians and cyclists are advised to check information displays and any closures will be clearly signed along with alternative routes. Access points to the beach will also be displayed.
Norma Redfearn, Elected Mayor of North Tyneside, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to see the next stage of the improvements to the Northern Promenade getting underway.
“There will unfortunately be some unavoidable disruption to allow the work to take place but I’m sure the end results will make a really positive difference and breathe new life into this part of the seafront.
“This is a really exciting time with all the other developments taking place as part of our Seafront Master Plan, such as the restoration of the Spanish City, plans to refurbish the lighthouse, the new Premier Inn hotel and much more.”
The designs for the Northern Promenade have been developed following extensive public consultation and the work will be carried out by the council’s joint venture partner Kier.
The scheme is part of the authority’s £36m Seafront Master Plan which sets out to revitalise the coastline between St Mary’s Island and Cullercoats Bay. For more information www.northtyneside.gov.uk