3 July 2001
Public to have its say on New Tyne Crossing
A major exhibition has been organised to give communities likely to be affected
by the construction and operation of the New Tyne Crossing the opportunity
to have their say.
The exhibition will be held at Wallsend Library in Ferndale Avenue on Friday 13 July (11am to 6.45pm) and Saturday 14 July (9.30am to 4pm) and will then move to Jarrow Community Centre in Cambrian Street on Sunday 15 July (10.30am to 5pm) and Monday 16 July (9am to 8pm).
Staff from the consortium advising Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority will be on hand at all times to answer questions and gather views. Questionnaires will also be distributed.
Running parallel with the exhibition will be invitation-only discussions with representatives from local communities and special interest groups such as fisheries organisations and environmentalists.
South Tyneside Councillor and PTA deputy vice chair Tom Hanson said: ³This is the big chance for local people concerned about the impact of the New Tyne Crossing to come forward and have their say or have their questions answered. I would urge them to take this opportunity.
³There are still many issues to resolve, for example where will the soil and silt dug out during construction be stored and where will the new interchange at the south end of the tunnel be sited. By expressing their views at the exhibition, local people will be able to make representations about the different options, which the PTA will take into account in deciding between alternatives.²
Issued on behalf of the Arup-led consortium advising Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority by Bradley O¹Mahoney Public Relations.
Contact Richard Simpson or Clare Maxwell on (0191) 281 8833
Note to editors: The £120 million New Tyne Crossing will be of two-lane immersed tube construction built just to the east of the existing vehicle tunnel between Howdon and Jarrow.
It will be designed, built and funded by a private-sector consortium which will also operate all the tunnels once it is appointed.
A Public Inquiry is expected in the spring or summer of 2002 with construction beginning in early 2004. The new tunnel, which will carry southbound traffic, is expected to be completed by the end of 2006.