Six places in the North East, from Bedlington to Guisborough, are to share more than £88mn in the latest allocation from the government’s levelling up fund (LUF) announced today.
Zero emission buses
Almost £20mn was allocated to County Durham, Tyne & Wear and Northumberland to improve the availability and quality of sustainable zero emission transport options in the region. The investment will go towards 52 zero emission buses, providing over 3,000 seats for passengers, and support a network of 26 electric vehicle chargers. This will remove 7,797 tonnes of CO2.
The funding will also deliver 92 electric vehicle charging points across 36 regional sites. This will mean that 181 vehicles can be charged at any one time.
According to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), the funding will:
- improve the environmental impact of vehicles in the area through reduced C02 emissions;
- reduce congestion, through the implementation of new zero emission buses and more seats for passengers, reducing the number of cars on the road;
- increase public transport uptake with the zero emission buses offering a smoother and quieter service with Wi-Fi, wireless charging and other modern features;
- support local businesses, as areas will benefit from the new infrastructure.
Councillor Martin Gannon, chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee said: “We’re passionate about providing the necessary facilities in the North East to encourage greener, more sustainable transport options and the new zero emission buses and electric vehicle chargers will do just that.”
Cycling and walking in Tees Valley…
A significant transport investment of almost £18mn in the Tees Valley will help make cycling and walking a more accessible travel option for local people, said the DLUHC. The improvements include:
- Nine new routes throughout Darlington, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Saltburn and Hartlepool;
- secure parking facilities;
- 15 cycle stands
These improvements will integrate with public transport and improve access to bus and rail, said the Department.
…and in Northumberland
Northumberland has been awarded £14.7mn to build two new high-quality cycling and pedestrian routes in Hexham and Bedlington. Th new routes, said the DLUHC, will:
- improve access to sustainable transport;
- boost employment opportunities at the battery production facility at Sleekburn;
- provide access to the new Bedlington railway station being delivered as part of the Northumberland Line;
- connect Corbridge and Hexham, allowing residents to access facilities more sustainably;
- improve travel links to local tourism attractions;
- encourage healthy and sustainable travel.
Sustrans partnerships manager for the North East and Cumbria, Jonah Morris said: “Sustrans fully supports Northumberland County Council’s plan to improve cycling, walking and wheeling routes within communities in Northumberland. The scheme between Hexham and Corbridge fixes a key missing link in the national cycling network and the Bedlington scheme connects a community into the integrated transport scheme which will benefit not only the local area, but the wider region.”
Town centre improvements
Almost £20mn was awarded to Redcar & Cleveland Council to transform Guisborough town centre and unlock housing in Middlesbrough.
Improvements in Guisborough will increase tourism, encourage healthier travel, support the local environment and make the town centre more attractive, said the DLUHS. They include
- works on Westgate, Bakehouse Square and Chaloner Street with new street furniture, better signage, CCTV, outdoor retail space and improved car parking;
- a new route for cyclists and pedestrians from Guisborough to Nunthorpe, via the Guisborough Forest and Woodland Walkway Visitor Centre;
- works to the Visitor Centre, including improved parking and accessibility;
- a new recreation space at Chapel Beck;
- the delivery of a new skate park and upgrades to leisure facilities on King George V Playing Field
The funding will also support phases 1 to 3 of the Newham Grange Highway Scheme. The scheme will unlock a housing site in Coulby Newham that will deliver approximately 800 homes.
The Sage
The Gateshead Quays development has been granted £20mn to be invested into The Sage arena, conference and exhibition centre. The development will bring millions of pounds of investment to Gateshead and the North East, said the DLUHC. Once developed, it will include:
- a 12,500-capacity entertainment arena;
- an exhibition and conference centre;
- public space for events, cultural performances and recreation; the facilities will be powered and heated by Gateshead’s low carbon district energy scheme, which aims to be net zero by 2030;
- new hotel and improved green area; as part of the wider project a dual-branded hotel has been relocated to vacant land directly opposite The Sage development. This will allow the land previously occupied by the hotels to be opened up as an urban park, bringing valuable green space into the area whilst enhancing biodiversity.
Councillor Martin Gannon, leader of Gateshead Council said:
“We’re delighted that the government recognised the benefits of The Sage development, especially during the current economic climate. As a council we are dedicated to ensuring The Sage is delivered; so that we can deliver employment opportunities to our residents of Gateshead and beyond. The economic benefits of The Sage will radiate out across the region as local businesses and hospitality benefit from the increase of trade.”
Hartlepool Production Village
Over £16.4 million has been allocated to create a “Screen Industries Production Village” in the heart of Hartlepool town centre.
The new village will be in the Church Street/ Lynn Street/Whitby Street area of the town. Brownfield and heritage sites will be regenerated so that Hartlepool can develop a new centre for television and film production. This will include areas in pre and post production, back office and wider support services to the screen industry.
The Production Village will complement the state-of-the-art Northern Film and TV Studios in Lynn Street and the BIS on Whitby Street, the council’s centre for start-up businesses in the creative sector.
Councillor Mike Young, Leader of Hartlepool Council, said:
“This scheme has the potential to completely transform this part of the town centre, creating 131 jobs and bringing huge benefits to Hartlepool and its residents as a whole. It will enable us to develop a thriving screen industries sector, attract inward investment and create a range of new job opportunities for local people.”
*This report is based on Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities press releases.
