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New status for tunnel  
During a visit to the region, government minister Alan Howarth granted the Tyne cycle and pedestrian tunnel Grade II listed status.This means that the tunnel is recognised as being of historic importance and architectural merit. The tunnel is free for the public to use and the PTA will ensure it remains so once the private sector Concessionaire is appointed to operate all the Tyne Tunnels. Grade II listing means that the pedestrian and cycle tunnel now enjoys statutory protection against inappropriate development or alteration. Around 1,000 people still use the cycle and pedestrian tunnel each day. It is hoped that this figure will increase with the development of the national cycle network. Report to put house prices under microscope The PTA and advisers recently met with members of the St Pauls’ Area Residents Association (SPARA) to discuss their concerns over falling property values in the area. The PTA is to fund an independent report by a local estate agent which will examine the change in house prices. Local MP Stephen Hepburn has also met with the PTA to discuss residents’ concerns.
Who’s who...  

Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Authority (PTA)...
the body which oversees public transport issues in Tyne & Wear

Professional advisers
Appointed by the PTA to develop the scheme and provide the authority with advice on all engineering, environmental, financial, legal and property matters relating to the tunnel. The advisers consist of the Newcastle office of Consulting Engineers Arup, fellow Newcastle-based consulting

engineers Posford Duvivier, legal advisers Herbert Smith, financial consultants KPMG and Newcastle-based chartered surveyors Lamb Edge.

Concessionaire
The consortium of private firms which will finance, build and operate the new tunnel and take over the running of the existing road and pedestrian/cycle tunnels. The concession will be for approximately 30 years, after which ownership of the tunnels returns the PTA.

For more information
As part of its communication programme the PTA and its advisers are keen to meet with residents’ associations and other parties who feel they will be affected by the construction of the new crossing. For further details contact: Paul Fenwick Planning & Transportation Division Civic Centre Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8PD Questions can also be sent by e-mail to:
[email protected] Alternatively, log-on to the web site at http://www.twpta.gov.uk/ntc and find out more about progress on the proposals for the new tunnel crossing.