North Shields Riverside Embankment Walkway has opened to the public for the first time.
The walkway links North Shields’ improved town centre with the bustling Fish Quay, providing step-free access with route options to suit different needs.
The project has created an attraction in its own right, with stunning views of the Tyne, attractive landscaping and an exciting public artwork coming soon.
Funding for the scheme was provided by the North East Combined Authority from the region’s Transforming Cities Fund.
It is part of North Tyneside Council’s Ambition for North Shields, which aims to create a more vibrant town centre, a stronger evening and weekend economy, and high-quality public spaces.
The Riverside Embankment Walkway has been designed with environmental sustainability and safety at its heart, providing benefits for health and wellbeing, and vastly improving the appearance of the local landscape.
Before, the bank was overgrown with dense vegetation and the only pedestrian access to the Fish Quay was via historic steep flights of stairs or the difficult gradients of Borough Road, Tanners Bank and Brewhouse Bank.
The walkway has opened in time for Christmas, making it easier for people to enjoy the pubs, restaurants, cafes, heritage attractions and artworks that make North Shields Fish Quay a popular leisure destination and desirable residential area.
The planting and landscaping will take time to establish due to the winter season, and will flourish to its full potential during the spring and summer months.
Despite a delay to the project caused by the need for additional groundworks, the project has hit its revised opening date of December 2024.
The final road closures on Tyne Street and Bell Street/ Liddell Street have now been lifted. Residents and businesses are thanked for their patience and understanding.
The construction of the walkway has been a complex feat of engineering involving a series of sheet pile retaining walls and reinforced earth slopes. The most recent phases of the work have seen landscaping and electric lighting fitted, with the final designs guided by input and feedback from the public.
An official event is being planned for 2025, to mark the installation of a sculpture depicting escaped enslaved woman Mary Ann Macham. Mary Ann fled America by stowing away on a ship and settled in North Shields with a Quaker family who were prominent figures in the campaign to abolish slavery. Designed in the style of a ship’s figurehead, the sculpture by artist Keith Barrett will show Mary Ann breaking out of chains.
Councillor Carl Johnson, Deputy Mayor for North Tyneside and cabinet member responsible for Regeneration, Culture and Economic Development said: “The completion of the Riverside Embankment Walkway is a major step forward in our ambitious regeneration of North Shields.
“For a long time people have been telling us they wanted better pedestrian links between the town centre and the Fish Quay. It was one of the key things people wanted to see when we consulted the public about our plans for North Shields.
“This bold project has delivered a new walkway that connects the two parts of town more easily than ever before. In such a stunning location overlooking the river, we know it will be popular with locals and visitors alike and bring real benefits to the surrounding area.
“It links with our smart new public spaces at Howard Street, Northumberland Square, Thomas Brown Town Square and the Transport Hub, with improvement works on Bedford Street about to begin.
“The Embankment Walkway has been a hugely complex project and it has presented different challenges along the way. We know it has caused noise and disruption for residents and businesses nearby, and we sincerely apologise for that.
“The end result is fantastic, and I’m delighted to see it finished in time for Christmas 2024 and the North Shields 800 celebrations in 2025.
“We hope people will enjoy using it as they visit the hospitality on the Fish Quay over the festive season, showing our local businesses their continued support.”
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, said: “I’m pleased that the riverside embankment walkway scheme is now open for people to enjoy. Along with the Transport Hub, this is a welcome addition to the area and great news for pedestrians who can enjoy improved easy access to the town centre and bustling Fish Quay area.
“It is vital that we continue to invest in schemes which promote walking, wheeling and cycling so that active travel becomes the natural first choice for local people. I hope residents enjoy the new walkway.”
Nick Corrigan, North East director at Willmott Dixon said: “We are extremely proud to have supported North Tyneside Council in delivering this complex and major infrastructure project which will improve pedestrian access for people in North Shields and the Fish Quay.
“We would like to thank local residents and businesses for their co-operation and patience over the last two years and we hope that the North Shields community and visitors to the area will enjoy the benefits of the new walkway link for many years to come.”