Road improvement works being carried out by North Tyneside Council and Northern Gas Networks in Whitley Bay Town Centre are starting this week.
These works are designed to enhance infrastructure and minimise future disruption, and we want to ensure you have time to review the plans and make any necessary arrangements.
The works will take place in three phases and will affect roads around Park View Shopping Centre, including York Road, Whitley Road, North Parade, and the A193.
Phase one – Gas network maintenance
Northern Gas Networks will begin a mandatory gas pipe upgrade on the A193 Park Avenue in early September, replacing ageing gas pipes with more durable materials to ensure a safe and reliable supply. This phase is expected to last approximately three weeks.
While these works are ongoing, temporary traffic lights will be in operation to manage traffic flow, as the southbound lane of Park Avenue will be closed from the junction of York Road to the junction of Whitley Road.
Please note the two bus stops located on Park Avenue, outside of Park View Shopping Centre, will be suspended for the duration of works. Nexus will direct customers to alternative stops located on Whitley Road and Park View.
Phase two – Traffic signal upgrades
Following the gas works the Council will upgrade traffic signals at four junctions in the area. This will include:
Upgrading the signals to LED, which improves the reliability of the signals and gives them a much greater lifespan, while reducing energy usage
Upgrading the signals to be connected to the Urban Traffic Management Centre. This enables live monitoring of the signals and can allow any remote adjustments to timings to address significant congestion
As part of the upgrade to the permanent traffic signals, temporary signals and pedestrian crossing points will be in place for the duration of the works. The temporary signals will be remotely monitored and adjusted in real time to manage traffic flow, particularly during peak times.
During the upcoming works, a short section of Laburnum Avenue will operate as a one way street. Access will be permitted onto Laburnum Avenue from Whitley Road, however access from Laburnum Avenue onto Whitley Road will be prohibited. Residents needing to reach Whitley Road should follow the signed diversion route via Victoria Terrace.
A section of the A193 Park Avenue, between Whitley Road and York Road, will be closed during this period. Access to Park View Shopping Centre car park will be maintained throughout the works.
We intend to work under the existing traffic management and will arrange for gully pots to be emptied of silt and the lines jetted to ensure they are all operational.
Phase three – Road resurfacing
Once the signal upgrades are complete, resurfacing works will begin on Marden Road, Whitley Road, and Park Avenue. The works will require temporary road closures, which will take place during twilight hours only, between 6:30pm and midnight. During these times, traffic will be directed via clearly signed diversion routes.
This approach is intended to minimise disruption during peak travel times. This will involve:
- Reconstructing the road through removing the damaged layers and replacing it with new material. There will be some unavoidable disturbance while the carriageway is being resurfaced.
- Road planing, where the damaged layers are removed. This is the noisiest part of the process. The resurfacing work is quieter, but there will still be some noise from, for example, the alarms of construction vehicles when reversing.
- Road lining will reinstate the road markings in the area following the new surface. This is a quieter process and should cause minimal disturbance.
These works have been carefully coordinated with Northern Gas Networks to minimise disruption and ensure all necessary improvements are completed efficiently. While some inconvenience is unavoidable, we will do everything we can to reduce disturbance. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.