Improved crossings will enhance walking and cycling access
Work is about to begin to create new and improved pedestrian and cycle crossings at the southern end of the Tyne Bridge, and at the nearby entrance to Bottle Bank.
The project is being paid for through a successful bid to the Government's Transforming Cities Fund (TCF).
The new single stage crossing on the A167, replacing a staggered, two stage pelican crossing, will form a vital part of Gateshead's plans to improve walking and cycling infrastructure between the town centre and the quays area.
This route is already important for access to Sage Gateshead and BALTIC, and will become even more so as the new The Sage arena and conference centre is completed in 2025, and more investment is ploughed into the wider area.
High numbers of visitors are expected to travel to the new complex by public transport so a high quality link from the Gateshead bus and metro interchange will be important, given the size of the events.
The widened pavement and improved crossing at the top of Bottle Bank will also improve pedestrian and cyclist facilities and safety in the area.
Our staff will be on site building the new crossing and the widened pavement from Monday 27 February for around four weeks.
Works to the middle section of the new crossing on the A167 will follow the initial four week period and will be completed entirely on Sundays between 9am and 3pm, to avoid causing disruption to busy week day traffic.
Pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted to the crossing by the former Autotrader building on the south side of the railway viaduct.
The Bottle Bank works will require the complete closure of the top section of the road to motor traffic for four weeks, and a diversion will be put in place for drivers needing access to the Swing Bridge, the Newcastle Gateshead Hilton and surrounding businesses.
Anneliese Hutchinson, Service Director for Climate Change, Compliance, Planning and Transport said: "These projects are vitally important to improve public spaces, regenerate our town centre, encourage more people to walk and cycle, and open up access between the town centre and the quays.
"This whole area is going through a lot of change, and we want to make it as accessible as possible, for everyone to enjoy."
Other TCF investment in Gateshead includes the recently completed improvements to Hills Street and Hawks Road and the upcoming works to enhance the West Central Route.
While Bottle Bank is closed to northbound traffic which would normally fork left from the A167, a diversion will be signposted via Eastgate, Oakwellgate and Cannon Street.
Yellow diversion signs will be displayed on the northbound approach to the Eastgate junction with A167 High Street, to divert drivers into the right hand filter lane.
For any drivers who do not manage to divert from the Tyne Bridge in time, a secondary diversion will be in place involving crossing the Tyne Bridge northbound, before returning southbound and taking a left turn on to Eastgate as above.
Any drivers in non-compliant vehicles wishing to avoid driving into the Clean Air Zone in Newcastle will need to divert away via Eastgate.
Work is about to begin to create new and improved pedestrian and cycle crossings at the southern end of the Tyne Bridge, and at the nearby entrance to Bottle Bank.
The project is being paid for through a successful bid to the Government's Transforming Cities Fund (TCF).
The new single stage crossing on the A167, replacing a staggered, two stage pelican crossing, will form a vital part of Gateshead's plans to improve walking and cycling infrastructure between the town centre and the quays area.
This route is already important for access to Sage Gateshead and BALTIC, and will become even more so as the new The Sage arena and conference centre is completed in 2025, and more investment is ploughed into the wider area.
High numbers of visitors are expected to travel to the new complex by public transport so a high quality link from the Gateshead bus and metro interchange will be important, given the size of the events.
The widened pavement and improved crossing at the top of Bottle Bank will also improve pedestrian and cyclist facilities and safety in the area.
Our staff will be on site building the new crossing and the widened pavement from Monday 27 February for around four weeks.
Works to the middle section of the new crossing on the A167 will follow the initial four week period and will be completed entirely on Sundays between 9am and 3pm, to avoid causing disruption to busy week day traffic.
Pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted to the crossing by the former Autotrader building on the south side of the railway viaduct.
The Bottle Bank works will require the complete closure of the top section of the road to motor traffic for four weeks, and a diversion will be put in place for drivers needing access to the Swing Bridge, the Newcastle Gateshead Hilton and surrounding businesses.
Anneliese Hutchinson, Service Director for Climate Change, Compliance, Planning and Transport said: "These projects are vitally important to improve public spaces, regenerate our town centre, encourage more people to walk and cycle, and open up access between the town centre and the quays.
"This whole area is going through a lot of change, and we want to make it as accessible as possible, for everyone to enjoy."
Other TCF investment in Gateshead includes the recently completed improvements to Hills Street and Hawks Road and the upcoming works to enhance the West Central Route.
While Bottle Bank is closed to northbound traffic which would normally fork left from the A167, a diversion will be signposted via Eastgate, Oakwellgate and Cannon Street.
Yellow diversion signs will be displayed on the northbound approach to the Eastgate junction with A167 High Street, to divert drivers into the right hand filter lane.
For any drivers who do not manage to divert from the Tyne Bridge in time, a secondary diversion will be in place involving crossing the Tyne Bridge northbound, before returning southbound and taking a left turn on to Eastgate as above.
Any drivers in non-compliant vehicles wishing to avoid driving into the Clean Air Zone in Newcastle will need to divert away via Eastgate.
