A new active travel route has opened in Wallsend, making it safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists to move between Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum and the Metro and bus station.
It is funded by a £1.28m capital grant from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It is part of the Towns and High Streets Innovation Programme, with the North East Combined Authority as the lead authority.
The scheme is part of North Tyneside Council’s Ambition for Wallsend, creating a vibrant and connected town that is attractive to residents, visitors and employers.
For those who want to take in the local sights, the active travel route links into a circular trail around Richardson Dees Park. For the really adventurous, it connects with National Cycle Route 72 Hadrian’s Way, stretching from the Cumbrian coast to Tynemouth.
It has been designed to be safe and accessible for families, pushchairs, wheelchairs, bikes, scooters and all active modes of transport.
The active travel route will help make North Tyneside a greener place to live, and help reduce the carbon footprint of the Borough.
The work has been carried out by the Council’s construction partner Capita and includes:
- New crossing points on Buddle Street, taking pedestrians and cyclists to the Segedunum site and connecting to National Cycle Route 72.
- A new crossing point at Wallsend Bus Station.
- Upgraded landscaping in Wallsend Bus Station.
- New play equipment in Winifred Gardens.
Councillor Sandra Graham, North Tyneside Council Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency said: “It is fantastic to see the Wallsend active travel route complete and being enjoyed by pedestrians, cyclists and wheelers. It’s a great way of helping to unlock the potential of the World Heritage Site at Segedunum, linking it up with public transport services at the Metro and bus stations.
“We hope it will be used by visitors, as well as by local people enjoying Wallsend’s riverside, shops, parks, heritage and green spaces.
“The route is part our wider Ambition for Wallsend, which is helping to improve the town’s street scene and smarten up its public spaces. It will make it quicker, easier and safer to travel around town using cleaner, greener forms of transport.”
North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness welcomed the new route and said: “The new route is a welcome addition to Wallsend. I hope this investment helps more people visit local businesses and of course the town’s iconic Segedunum site.
“Active travel is something that benefits us all, and I hope the new route will help more people to walk, wheel or cycle around Wallsend.”
Ambition for Wallsend: North Tyneside Council has an ambitious vision for Wallsend as a vibrant and connected place that is attractive to residents, visitors and businesses. You can find more information here.
Action on Climate Change: North Tyneside Council has an ambitious aim of being net zero by 2030, and has reduced its carbon footprint by 59% since 2011. You can find more information here.