Another major step forward in the coastal regeneration of Whitley Bay was taken last night (Monday 12 September).
Cabinet has agreed to consider an alternative design for the Central Lower Promenade coastal sea defence scheme, which should result in significant savings and include some suggestions made by the community.
On taking office the Mayor and Cabinet inherited a set of commercial arrangements and designs for the Central Lower Promenade in Whitley Bay.
Having looked at the plans and proposed price the Mayor decided the approach was unacceptable and took clear and decisive action to instruct officers to review the design and conduct a value for money test to ensure public funds are spent appropriately given the complex nature of the scheme, which involves the construction of a new sea wall with landscaped embankment.
The outcome of that test means the council can take a fresh look at the design and delivery of the scheme and take the opportunity to procure an alternative provider and make very substantial savings. It will also allow the opportunity to address some of the issues raised by residents.
The two-tiered structure has reached the end of its serviceable life and needs to be replaced. The first phase of work saw meshed safety fencing put up around the site and the demolition of disused retail units in the upper tier.
A revised design and plan should be ready to discuss with residents this autumn and work on the construction phase is anticipated to get underway in the spring.
The new design will keep the Mayor’s promise to include new like-for-like replacements of the much-loved balustrades and aims to provide more usable open space for seating and other activities instead of a grass embankment.
The Central Lower Promenade scheme is part of the council’s £36m Seafront Master Plan to regenerate the coastline between St Mary’s Island and Cullercoats Bay, which includes a major renovation of the Spanish City to restore it to its former glory.
Work is already underway on a number of projects including brightening up the Northern Promenade with new seating, shelters and surfacing and building a new Premier Inn hotel and restaurant on the Spanish City site.
Watts Slope has been redesigned and widened to create an area where people can sit and talk and children can play and the toilets there have been brought up-to-date while various improvement works have also previously been completed further along at Cullercoats.
Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn said: “We are pleased to be in a position to move forward with this important scheme which will not only strengthen Whitley Bay’s sea defences but also add to the ongoing regeneration of the coast.
“We understand people have been frustrated about seeing this project delayed but it is important that the council is not seen as a soft touch and achieves best value for money when investing public funds.
“Considering an alternative design should not only result in significant savings but also feature suggestions from the community. We will continue to keep the public fully informed as the project progresses.”
For more information about the Seafront Master Plan visit http://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/642/coastal-regeneration
