A landscape assessment has been
undertaken to examine the effects of
the scheme upon the townscape and
visual amenity of the East Howdon and
Jarrow areas. This work has included
the development of a reinstatement programme, to reduce the effects of the
cut and cover excavations on both sides
of the river.

Listed buildings

There are three Grade II listed buildings affected by the scheme: the Tyne Pedestrian and Cycle Tunnels; the Sir Charles Palmer Monument in Riverside Park; and the Gaslight Public House. The proposed scheme would enhance the current setting of the Pedestrian and Cycle Tunnels. The statue of Sir Charles Palmer is to be relocated to a more appropriate and better supervised position. The Gaslight Public will need to be demolished. It is acknowledged as the last remnant of the thriving 19th Century riverside settlement of Jarrow, but has lost its historic context. English Heritage does not object to its demolition. A detailed drawing and photographic record would first be compiled in consultation with English Heritage and South Tyneside Council.

North Tyneside

North of the river, the new toll plaza would be constructed largely within the existing cutting containing the A19. The new structures would be effectively screened from the adjacent residential area, but the associated lighting masts may be visually prominent. The north tunnel entrance would be located to the south west of Brinkburn Street. Between Brinkburn Street and the East Howdon Bypass, there is an area of planting which currently forms an effective visual screen. Construction of the tunnel would not affect this planting. However, the existing planting between the East Howdon Bypass and the A19 would be removed, but would be reinstated as far as possible on completion. Land use along the north bank of the river is predominantly industrial. Although demolition of business premises would be required, this would be a relatively minor adverse townscape effect because of the poor character of the existing buildings.

Jarrow

On the south side, between the river and Howard Street, there has been tree planting carried out over the last 30 years and this would have to be removed. During construction, Dunn Street School would lose approximately half of its playing fields. Following completion of the works, this land would be reinstated. During construction, the pupils of Dunn Street School would use the playing fields of the former St. Peter's School.

St. Bede's School playing fields will not be affected by the proposals.

A block of three flats will be demolished at the western end of Saxon Way along with a number of maisonettes on the High Street, some shops with flats over, also on the High Street, and a small number of aged persons' bungalows on Salem Street.

The section of proposed tunnel adjacent to Stothard Street would be covered as far as Howard Street. The existing tunnel currently has a sun visor section at the southern portal. This section would be covered over, without the visor, thus providing an opportunity to create an additional area of landscaped open space to replace the areas lost.

Jarrow Junction

The proposed junction would involve the construction of a steeply sloping curved access road between the Howard Street roundabout and the A19. This would occupy the embankment below Epinay Walk resulting in the removal of all the existing planting and the substantial visual screen that it provides.

The road would be built into the embankment with its outer edge formed by a retaining wall built approximately 12 metres from the closest dwellings in Epinay Walk. The top of the retaining wall would be at approximately the same level as the ground floor of the houses in Epinay Walk. A safety barrier would be provided at the top of the retaining wall.

The remaining roadworks would mainly involve adjustments to existing road lines. They would be carried out within the existing road corridors. All existing planting within this area would have to be removed except perhaps for the mature trees on the existing roundabout on Howard Street.

None of the proposed works would encroach into the Don Valley. The proposed ventilation building would be situated to the south of the realigned Howard Street, within the road network of Jarrow Junction. It should be far enough removed from residential areas, including Stothard Street, to cause no significant visual impact.