Journeys by bus, bike and foot in the Four Lane Ends area are set to be made easier thanks to improvement works starting at the end of this month.
Starting during week commencing Monday October 3, North Tyneside Council will improve sustainable travel links at the Four Lane Ends Interchange, A188 Benton Lane, the A188 Benton Lane/Goathland Avenue junction and the A191 Front Street.
The work forms part of the council’s commitment to enable more people to use active and sustainable forms of travel, supporting its ambition to work towards the borough being carbon net-zero by 2030.
The improvements are expected to reach completion by summer 2023 – and are being delivered by the council’s strategic partner, Capita. Funding for the scheme was acquired by a successful bid to the government’s Transforming Cities Fund.
It will include the installation of a new southbound bus lane, whilst retaining the existing two southbound lanes on the A188 Benton Lane, between Goathland Avenue and the entrance to the Four Lane Ends Interchange, which will help improve bus service reliability. Enhanced walking and cycling provision, including crossing facilities, will also be installed along this section of the A188 Benton Lane and the A191 Front Street.
Cllr Sandra Graham, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “We want all our residents, visitors and communities to be able to move around our borough in an active and sustainable way.
“Working with our partners Capita we are putting walking and cycling first, creating a network of cycle paths, improved pedestrian walkways and greater public transport connectivity that will help make the borough cleaner and greener.
“This is all part of our ambition to work towards North Tyneside being carbon net-zero by 2030.
“We recognise the A188 Benton Lane is a busy route, our team will be working hard to minimise disruption and ensuring people are kept informed about the works and how they may be affected.
“Please allow for some extra time on your journeys if you are travelling in this area and thank you for your cooperation whilst these important works are completed.”
The construction team will start on the new bus access, north of Four Lane Ends Interchange, next to the small roundabout on the A188 Benton Lane. During this time, a temporary southbound single lane closure will be in this area during off peak hours (9.30am-3.30pm) until the end of the year.
Work will then progress to the southbound bus lane on the A188 Benton Lane. The initial work will be the diversion of underground cables and utility services by the organisations responsible for them. A temporary southbound single lane closure during off peak hours (9.30am-3.30pm) will be in place.
Following the completion of this work, there will be a temporary single lane closure at all times, between Goathland Avenue and the Interchange, until the end of the project to ensure the safety of the workforce and road users. Please allow extra time for your journey as there may be delays.
Members of the public can sign up to receive regular updates as the project progresses. To sign up, please email sustainabletravel@northtyneside.gov.uk and put “Four Lane Ends” in the subject field.
Members of the public who have queries or require further information, should contact the council’s Major Projects team via email: sustainabletravel@northtyneside.gov.uk or tel: (0191) 643 6500.
Capita Local Public Service can also draw on specialist capabilities, such as HR, payroll and procurement from across the wider Capita group, to ensure the very best market knowledge and outcomes are achieved.
In November 2012 Capita entered into a partnership with North Tyneside Council and delivers a range of technical services: engineering; property; planning.
Improvement works: A188 Benton Lane
A new southbound bus lane will be installed along the A188 Benton Lane between the Goathland Avenue junction and the entrance to Four Lane Ends Interchange.
There will be enhanced walking and cycling provision with a new shared path.
A toucan crossing, enabling cyclists and pedestrians to cross side by side, will replace the existing pelican crossing at Goathland Avenue junction.
A new pleasant open space adjacent to the A188 Benton Lane that will include a swale, wildflowers and benches.
Four Lane Ends Interchange
The small roundabout near Four Lane Ends Interchange will incorporate the bus lane on its southbound approach, enabling buses to avoid any congestion. A bus gate will be introduced at the bus lane’s exit from the roundabout, preventing access to the Interchange for vehicles except buses.
A new parallel crossing consisting of a new shared footpath and cycleway will replace the existing crossing at the small roundabout near the Interchange.
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