Further work is to be carried out to improve walking and cycling routes in North Tyneside.
North Tyneside Council has completed a number of projects over the last few months to enhance the borough’s pedestrian and cycling network – making sustainable travel an easier choice.
Upgrades to the path linking Northumberland Park with Cobalt Business Park, which began in summer 2019, are almost complete.
The scheme has already seen the creation of a 2.5-metre wide Tarmac path and measures to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Additional work is now set to be carried out after further funding for part of it was secured from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund.
A section of footpath will be widened to create a five-metre wide shared footpath/cycleway, more improved safety measures will be introduced and part of the National Cycle Route 10 will be upgraded with a new asphalt surface.
It comes after work to improve a number of other walking and cycling routes in North Tyneside has been completed.
Large sections of the 5.9-mile path alongside the A1058 Coast Road, linking the coast and Newcastle, have been upgraded.
Along the route, Highways England has also opened its new blue pedestrian and cyclist bridges, providing a safe and quick passage over the top of the new Silverlink junction.
Improvements to the A187 Tyne View Terrace in East Howdon, linking to the Tyne Pedestrian and Cycle Tunnels, are now finished.
And a continuous footpath and cycle lane has been built along the entire length of the A189 Salters’ Lane, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists, linking into Newcastle City Council’s ‘cycle city’ network.
These projects, delivered by the council’s partner Capita, alongside the authority’s first-ever Summer of Cycling campaign this year, aimed at encouraging everyone to explore the borough on two wheels, will help more people to leave their cars at home.
It also means the authority is a step closer to achieving its aim of providing a continuous network of strategic cycle routes.
All this comes after recent Government figures show that 6.2 per cent of people in North Tyneside cycle at least once a month for travel - the second-highest figure in the North East and close to the England average of 7.7 per cent.
Cllr Carl Johnson, North Tyneside Council’s cabinet member for Environment and Transport, said: “We know more and more people in the borough are taking up cycling so it is vital that we continue to develop safe and accessible infrastructure to keep North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit. We also know that making it easier for people to use more sustainable travel methods is important in facing up to our Climate Emergency.”
Cllr Sarah Day, North Tyneside Council’s Cycling Champion, added: “These new walking and cycling improvements are great examples of our commitment to ensuring cycling and walking are attractive everyday choices for all.
“Our Summer of Cycling proved a huge success with thousands of people taking part in the various events and activities and the completion of the improved cycle routes is a fitting legacy and will only help more people to take to two wheels.”
Currently, UK sustainable transport charity Sustrans is carrying out audits of the Coast Road route with a view to it achieving National Cycle Network route status.
Jonah Morris, Partnerships Manager, Sustrans North East, said: “Segregated cycle infrastructure, enabling people to cycle apart from motor vehicles, is key to encouraging more people to cycle. We know that in order to solve poor air quality, we need to get people to switch from driving to more sustainable means. Segregated infrastructure such as this is key to more people cycling for their everyday journeys.”
Lynn Cramman, Cobalt’s Business Manager, said: “The ever-increasing improved cycle routes around Cobalt means that commuting by bike is a great alternative to commuting by car. Good cycle infrastructure along with onsite support including free MOTs, onsite servicing, free pool bikes to loan, bike buddies and detailed route information to our 12,000 staff means we are finding more and more people are leaving their car at home.”
ENDS
NOTE TO EDITORS:
About the Northumberland Park to Cobalt Business Park scheme: The extended works to the project include:
Widening the footpath on the northern side of the Holyfields Roundabout to create a 5m wide shared footpath/cycleway. This links via the existing signalised crossing to the cycling-walking route along the south side of A191 New York Road.
Widening the splitter island on the B1322 New York Road exit of the Holyfields Roundabout to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Upgrading part of the National Cycle Route 10 (Reivers Route) by laying an asphalt surface from where it connects to the new Tarmac cycle path to the Silverlink Biodiversity Park.
The footpath widening works are expected to last around three weeks. During the works, the footpath will be closed at all times and pedestrians will be diverted via the eastern side of the Holyfields roundabout. There is also an off-peak (9.30am to 3.30pm) lane closure on the A191 and B1322 New York Road in the area of works. The splitter island works will follow completion of the footpath widening works and will also last around three weeks. During these works the road will be narrowed next to the splitter island and pedestrians will be diverted via the western side of the Holyfields roundabout. The National Cycle Route 10 (Reivers Route) resurfacing will follow the completion of the splitter island works but further information is not yet available.
A189 Salters’ Lane Improvement Scheme: The northern most section of the new cycleway/footpath on the A189 Salters’ Lane will remain closed until works are complete at the West Moor roundabout. At the southern end of Salters’ Lane, south of West Farm Avenue, the new footpath/cycleway is open as far as the city boundary. At this point, pedestrians and cyclists should cross over, then follow diversions south of the Killingworth Road Bridge, or use Salters Bridge, to travel between North Tyneside and Newcastle.
About the Transforming Cities Fund: aims to improve productivity and spread prosperity through investment in public and sustainable transport and was first announced on November 20, 2017, by the Prime Minister.
About Capita Local Public Services: part of Capita plc, is dedicated to making processes smarter, organisations more efficient and customer experiences better across the local government, health and education sector in the UK. We unlock value for our clients by applying talent and technology. Responsible for operating all of Capita’s major local, public sector partnerships, we deliver a wide range of specialist services including IT and digital transformation, customer management, revenues, benefits, finance, infrastructure support and regulatory services, education support and back office processing. Capita Local Public Services can also draw on specialist capabilities, such as HR, payroll and procurement from across the wider Capita group, to ensure the very best market knowledge and outcomes are achieved. In November 2012 Capita entered into a partnership with North Tyneside Council to deliver a range of technical services: engineering; property; planning; building control and public protection.
