Seafront Sustainable Route

What's happening

The project is being delivered in two phases. Phase one, from Tynemouth Front Street to the Beach Road roundabout (next to the Tynemouth Castle Inn), is now complete.

This is what we did:

constructed a permanent safe two-way sustainable route for pedestrians and cyclists;
upgraded crossing points to improve pedestrian safety and access to the seafront;
constructed a permanent northbound one-way system for motorists from Tynemouth Front Street to the Longsands beach access ramp opposite the Grand Hotel.

Phase two of the project will see the continuation of the route from the Beach Road roundabout to St Mary’s Island access road. Plans for this second phase can be found below.

The scheme

Following the temporary pop-up scheme along the seafront implemented in 2020 as part of social distancing measures, which proved very popular while also presenting some challenges, we committed to seek future funding to deliver a revised, permanent scheme providing separate space for cyclists and other users of sustainable travel, while maintaining a two-way route along the seafront.

The new proposals, backed by the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund (ATF), involve creating a permanent, segregated, continuous two-way, safe space along the seafront.

The proposals include improving safety along the road by introducing a 20mph limit and various traffic safety measures. Two-way traffic flow between Whitley Bay and Longsands Beach access ramp will be maintained. One way traffic northbound from Front Street, Tynemouth to Longsands beach access ramp will be in place permanently from early 2024.

The council has worked closely with coastal emergency services to address and resolve some of the design elements that created challenges for search and rescue operations with the previous temporary scheme.

Funding will also come from the council and walking and cycling charity Sustrans.

What are the benefits?

It will be a major step forward for the Elected Mayor and Cabinet’s pledge to create a cleaner, greener borough as part of its declaration of a climate emergency.

Creating separate space for people of all ages to enjoy safely on forms of sustainable and active transport, such as bikes, skateboards and scooters, along North Tyneside’s beautiful coastline will further increase its appeal to visitors, supporting the local economy.

The scheme seeks to address conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists on the shared footpath and between on-road cyclists and drivers along the seafront by creating a segregated safe space for all.

The proposals support the council’s commitment to encourage more people to take up active travel and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

The scheme will make it easier for people to safely access popular attractions like St Mary’s Lighthouse, Spanish City and Tynemouth Priory as well as the award-winning beaches and open spaces and support local businesses as part of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Links to other parts of the borough

The new route will enhance the existing coastal section of the National Cycle Route 1 and will improve access from other parts of the borough.

It will serve local schools and places of work as well as linking into the new transport interchange planned for North Shields and pedestrianised parts of the town centre as part of the council’s ambitious regeneration plans.

Consultation

A six-week consultation took place between 13 September 2021 and 24 October 2021, the results of the consultation are posted below.

Frequently asked questions

Will vehicles still be able to drive along the seafront?

Yes. A two-way traffic route will be retained between Tynemouth and Whitley Bay to retain access to residential premises, visitor car parks and servicing for businesses.

Where will the proposed seafront sustainable route start and end?

It is an 8km route that will run along the seafront between St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay, connecting to the existing segregated route at the Brierdene pub, and Front Street in Tynemouth.

When will it be in place?

Phase was completed in early summer 2024. Works paused over the busy summer visitor period and have started again in October 2024. Phase Two is planned to be complete by Summer 2025.

How much will it cost?

Having now incorporated comments received during the consultation, we have increased the use of more sustainable surfacing materials and an expanded the scope of the scheme to include all coastal footpaths along the route. The total scheme cost is approximately £10m. This has included substantial inflationary cost increases to construction materials since the scheme was initially priced in 2021.

Who will be able to use it?

The scheme aims to make the seafront a more pleasant place to walk and cycle while retaining access for people visiting by car. The scheme improves access to the coast by all modes of sustainable travel by upgrading the crossing provision along the length of the coast. The scheme seeks to address conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists on the shared footpath and also conflicts between on-road cyclists and drivers along the seafront by creating segregated safe space for all. As well as cyclists, skateboards and scooters are welcome to use the new provision.

What about cycle storage

The proposals include many new locations for high-quality cycle storage in areas adjacent to local retail and popular visitor attractions, including Spanish City, Tynemouth Front Street and Longsands beach.

What about pedestrians?

The current shared use path along the seafront will revert to a dedicated pedestrian footpath. Pedestrians will retain priority over all other route users when crossing to/from the Sea Front footpath. Additional benches and zebra crossings will further improve facilities for pedestrian users of the route.

Will anything be done to make the road along the seafront safer?

Yes. In addition to traffic calming measures introduced in 2019 on the A193 The Links at Whitley Bay, a 20mph limit is also proposed for the whole stretch between Whitley Bay and Tynemouth, supported by traffic safety measures.

How will the proposed route tie in to the previous improvements around Spanish City?

The proposals will allocate a section of the promenade adjacent to the highway, between Grant’s Clock at Central Lower Promenade and Spanish City, for cyclists. This will retain all of the existing high-quality surfacing previously installed. The route of the National Cycle Route (NCN1) past Spanish City will be modified to tie into the proposals to widen and segregate the existing path above the promenade to the north of the Spanish City.

Has the scheme been designed to certain standards in terms of quality and safety?

Yes, Active Travel England have reviewed the outline designs and have responded positively to the quality and standard of provision and have acknowledged that the design meets the LTN 1/20 requirements throughout.

How much Council money is being spent on the scheme?

All design, consultation and construction work is being funded from the Active Travel Fund award.

Photo gallery

Designs

Consultation results

How you may be affected

Starting on Monday 14 October, temporary traffic measures will be in place, including a one-way system between Tynemouth and Cullercoats and temporary traffic lights at key points.

Cyclists may need to dismount or follow diversions during lane closures. Pedestrians in the Beaconsfield area will be directed to cross to the opposite side of the seafront while work continues.

These measures will remain until the work is completed. We apologise for any inconvenience during this time.

Tynemouth Aquarium to Marden Avenue, Cullercoats: A temporary northbound one-way system will be in place. Southbound road users will be diverted via Mast Lane – Broadway – Beach Road.
Spanish City to St Mary’s Lighthouse, Whitley Bay: Most of the work will occur on the footpath, with pedestrian diversions. Temporary traffic lights will be in place at times when work occurs on the carriageway.
All diversions will be clearly signposted along alternate routes (the A193), with residents’ access maintained throughout.

Site compounds will be set up away from residential areas in the following locations:

The car park behind Tynemouth Aquarium and a section of the grassed area next to the Aquarium
The Briardene car park and a section of the grassed area at The Links

More information

To receive regular project updates and advance notice of any works that may affect journeys, please sign up to our electronic bulletin service by filling out this form or telephone: (0191) 643 6500.