Elected Mayor John Harrison and Council Leader Paul Waggott were given a demonstration of the Key Stages 3 and 4 materials by students from Burnside High School, Wallsend, Norham Community Technical College, North Shields and St Joseph’s RC High School, Hebburn at the launch.

The development of the teaching materials has been managed and facilitated by the North Tyneside Education Business Partnership (EBP).

Councillor Waggott said: “The Tyne Tunnel has benefited South Tyneside for nearly 40 years and a new generation now stands to benefit from the second Tyne Tunnel. It is timely that young people in both boroughs understand why a second tunnel needs to be built and to understand the challenges such a project presents in technical, environmental and social terms.”

Mr Harrison said: “The second Tyne Tunnel is going to be an important part of our lives, both north and south of the river. But it is also a major engineering project of national importance and for our young people it presents a superb learning opportunity on their doorstep.

“Through this website they will be able to find out in a very practical way about the environmental, engineering and community implications of such a huge project.”

Larry Gent, project manager at the EBP, said: “We are grateful to Tyne Tunnel management and to the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority for the close and successful working relationship that has developed over many years. Their commitment to helping in the education of our young people is exemplary.

“There are greater educational benefits to be gained from students using real, everyday examples. The New Tyne Crossing is equivalent to the North East’s Olympics. A project of this scale only comes along once in a lifetime and it is important that we utilise the learning opportunities it presents to the full.”

To view the teaching materials go to:

http://www.tynetunnel.info/wps/wcm/connect/Tunnel/EBP+site/

Ends

Issued on behalf of the New Tyne Crossing by Bradley O’Mahoney Public Relations. Media contact: Richard Simpson 01207 272162/07821 537106. Media contact at the EBP: Larry Gent 0191 200 1551

Note to Editors: The Key Stages 3 and 4 teaching materials have been developed by teachers from schools in North and South Tyneside for the National Curriculum in engineering/technology, the environment and the community.

The new materials have been developed to link with previous materials that were designed for primary schools.

Part of the EBP’s role is to ensure that the materials remain relevant to the National Curriculum.

The New Tyne Crossing is the project to finance, design, build, maintain and operate a second vehicle tunnel linking the A19 under the River Tyne between East Howdon (North Tyneside) and Jarrow (South Tyneside) and to maintain and operate the existing vehicle, pedestrian and cycle tunnels for a concessionary period of around 30 years.

A Concessionaire will be appointed later this year. Construction is expected to begin in 2008 with the second vehicle tunnel scheduled to open in 2011. A major upgrade of the existing vehicle tunnel will then be carried out.

The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority is the sponsor of the New Tyne Crossing and is working in partnership with North Tyneside and South Tyneside Councils.