South Tyneside Council have announced a £3 million investment programme to improve walking and cycling links at four Metro stations. The work will start from 10th October and go through until April 2023 at Chichester, Bede, Tyne Dock and Simonside stations.
The work is being funded by the region’s Transforming Cities Fund and aims to improve connections between walking and cycling routes within the Borough by creating safer and more secure environment for those who use public transport. Its hoped this will in turn encourage more people to use public transport and thus improve air quality.
Cllr Ernest Gibson, Lead Member of Transport and Neighbourhoods at South Tyneside Council, said: “Sustainable travel is key if the Borough is to achieve its carbon neutral goals. By carrying out these works, we hope to be able to improve the environments at and between Metro stations, which will hopefully encourage more people to cycle or walk to access the Metro. We will do all we can to keep any disruption to a minimum while these works are carried out and apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.”
Taking advantage of the route closure due to Metro Flow works, work is due to commence at Chichester on 10th October. In November work is then expected to commence around Bede, Tyne Dock and Simonside stations in November. This will include improved lighting at Tyne Dock and pedestrian and cycle routes to encourage sustainable travel.
All work should be finished by April 2023.