We are firmly opposed to the removal and demolition of this historic footbridge and believe that the right of way should be preserved.
We want to save the public right of way, so that residents, visitors to North Tyneside, and future generations, can enjoy an accessible and safe crossing into the town. The public right of way leads across Borough Road via the footbridge and along the bank side, giving pedestrians high level views over the New Quay Conservation Area and the Mouth of the Tyne.
Community Access by foot to Borough Road footbridge
The public right of way across the footbridge has linked two communities for nearly 200 years and is used by locals and visitors alike.
The removal of the public right of way across the Borough Road footbridge will adversely impact the ability of local people – in particular those approaching from the top of the steep slopes of the Tyne banks – to cross the Cut in Borough Road from Waldo Street to Tennyson Terrace.
As evidence we refer to North Tyneside Council’s 2017 pedestrian count showed the 70% of vulnerable people – for example those from the Respite Care home, those using disability wheelchairs or scooters, or people with pushchairs, young children or children on bikes – use the footbridge to cross Borough Road rather than crossing it at street level.
We understand that an Equality Impact Assessment has not been produced by North Tyneside Council. In addition, we understand that no safety audit has been completed.
Healthier option
The public right of way avoids traffic in Borough Road and leads into North Shields.
This is particularly important to avoid the consequent air pollution and noise. N.B. the annual deaths from air pollution in north Tyneside is estimated at 101; ref: Public Health England 2014.
Local public opposition
There have been 2,650 people, mostly residents of North Shields, who have signed petitions to oppose the demolition of an iconic bridge – and implied removal of the public right of way – that many of them still use at various times.
We are aware that there are about 120 people who cross the bridge every day.
Alternative Borough Road Crossing
The new crossing in Borough Road surface level crossing is not suitable as a replacement for the existing public right of way which is across the Borough Bridge footbridge.
From central North Shields there is already an increased use of vehicles in the area, using Borough Road as a cut through to the Tyne Tunnel as well as new traffic generated by the present and future Smiths Docks developments and these are a small proportion of the 800 homes planned for Smith Dock, so traffic will hugely increase in Borough road. This was caused by the opening up of Prince Consort Road.
We note that there have been no traffic surveys of Borough Road before /after the opening of the new Tyne Tunnel route via Borough Road or since. With increasing traffic volumes in future in any case due to nearby developments, and as a result safety concerns must also be raised
as removal of the right of way would mean many more people would be obliged to negotiate Borough Road, which is a steep and busy road.
The health impact on pedestrians of NOx and particulates emissions must also be considered.
The current right of way avoids the need to walk next to or across the road.
We are concerned that an Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposal is not apparent which takes these changes into account.
Crossing Borough Road by the new surface level crossing will mean anyone with walking or other mobility issues (e.g. wheelchair users and pram users) will have to negotiate two steep slopes : at the Addison Street end ( the Trinity Lane Passageway) and Waldo Street . These streets do not accord with Government Guidelines nor advice gained from Living Streets.
Additionally, there is no pavement on the Borough Road side of Waldo Street, only a steep grass verge in private ownership and a narrow strip of land privately owned in front of the garages. Therefore, pedestrians will have to cross two roads to get to Waldo Street from and onto Yeoman Street: Borough Road and then go up the steep slope of the footway on the northern side of the street and cross further along.