- News of a potential new cycleway is very welcome, if overdue. If elected on 6 May, Green Party Councillors will work to ensure that the plans are prioritised by the Council – to ensure full consultation of the plans – and implemented at the earliest opportunity.
We have campaigned on behalf of residents from Whitley Bay to Tynemouth to (i) introduce a new segregated cycleway and (ii) hold a full consultation to bring a cycleway that meets the needs of residents. We have raised this directly with Council Officers and with Councillors.
We have learnt, from a current North Tyneside Councillor, that discussions between North Tyneside Council, the North of Tyne Combined Authority and Sustrans regarding a permanent segregated cycleway to replace the Sunrise Cycleway have been ongoing and that a detailed consultation will take place. We understand that funding for the new cycleway has been agreed.
If this report is correct, we are very happy that our campaign has been successful in driving forward the discussion – and we are pleased to hear that action will start following the local elections.
Safe Space
We are very happy that the Council now recognises the need to provide safe space for cyclists, away from pedestrians – although the fact that this comes six months after the closure of the Sunrise Cycleway represents an unacceptable delay.
The delay means that delivery is now unlikely to provide the new cycle route in time for Summer 2021 given the time needed for proper consultation. We would encourage the Council to implement a temporary scheme to ensure safe space over the coming months.
Funding
The news also confirms that funding has been agreed – however, given Tranche 2 of Government funding was agreed back in November, we are not sure that this should be considered ‘news’. The fact that the Combined Authority is involved gives us hope that the funding will extend the scope of the new cycleway – and create a connected network of segregated cycle paths for our region.