THE NEW TYNE CROSSING



 

Business and Community Issues

Business Issues

Construction and operation of the new tunnel will have an impact on businesses and jobs in the local area and will also have wider economic effects at regional level.

At a local level, the scheme will unavoidably require the demolition or relocation of business premises directly affected by the tunnel alignment. It is currently estimated that no more than eight full-time equivalent jobs may be lost as a result of the scheme.

The TWPTA has been in consultation with the owners of the affected businesses, to agree relocation and compensation arrangements.

Under the terms of the concession agreement, it will be a requirement that Tyne Tunnel staff in employment at the start of the concession period are retained. It is estimated that approximately 300 full-time equivalent construction jobs will be created while the tunnel is being built. Construction-related jobs will be safeguarded at off-site support businesses such as the suppliers of materials and services. Economic studies indicate that the new crossing will assist in supporting new employment opportunities in the local region through improving access to markets - a key site selection criterion for company relocation.


Gaslight Public House

Community Issues

In North Tyneside, there will be a net overall loss of a small area of open
space as a result of the scheme.

During construction, a definitive Right of Way across land to the north east of
the new toll plaza will be re-routed. A second definitive Right of Way adjacent
to the southbound A19 will be permanently closed. At Tyne View Terrace motorists, pedestrians and cyclists will be affected by severance during construction. A temporary bridge will be provided and the street will be reinstated on completion.

The effects of the scheme are more significant on the south side of the river. In South Tyneside, a total of nearly 11 hectares (ha) of open space will be lost, but over 21 ha of new open space will be created. There will be a series of temporary and permanent road closures, which will affect pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

Approximately 21 dwellings will be purchased by the TWPTA and subsequently demolished. The affected homeowners will receive compensation and/or will be re-housed. The listed Gaslight Public House in Jarrow will be demolished.

St Peter's School and the Grange Nursing
Home have been acquired by the TWPTA
and will be demolished. The construction
works will take some land from the
playing fields at Dunn Street County Junior
and Infants School, but these will be
returned and reinstated on completion of
the works. Over the three year construction
period, Dunn Street School will have
access to part of St. Peter's Schools' former
playing fields.

Riverside Park comprises formal recreation
grounds next to the river. Footpaths and
cycleways will not be accessible to the public during construction
as the park would be fenced off for
construction activities. On completion, there
are plans to undertake landscape and footpath
improvements, and redesign the park to
encourage local people to make greater use of it.
A new bus lay-by and additional car parking
could be provided at the entrance to the
pedestrian tunnel. There is also the intention
to provide improved access to the pedestrian
tunnel along a reinstated Ferry Street.

The TWPTA is in discussion with the Jarrow
Motor Boat Club regarding the reinstatement
of its moorings, adjacent to Riverside Park.
Access to the existing pedestrian and cycle
tunnels will remain open throughout
construction and during operation,
whilst vehicle access to and from Bede's
World will not be disrupted.