Plans have been submitted for a pioneering new transport hub with town square in North Shields complete with a walkway connecting the town centre and the Fish Quay

The ambitious proposals come as part of North Tyneside Council’s Ambition for North Shields and the Fish Quay Masterplan and are set to revitalise both the town centre and riverside building a good environment for businesses, leisure users and retail.

The planning process has seen community groups, residents and businesses share their thoughts and ideas for part of the design refining process ahead of the plans officially being submitted.

The plans for the transport hub see a contemporary, convenient and high-quality facility that will bring bus services within the town closer to Metro, taxis and cycling infrastructure providing people with easier access to green transport choices. The plans also include local amenities such as public toilets and a Changing Places facility.

A brand new open town square which is intended for events and leisure activities is also featured within the plans and includes new planting which will bring a green space to the heart of the town centre providing better biodiversity for the urban location.

The planned walkway will also bring huge improvements for the current route which is stepped and will provide better accessibility whilst building a safer connection between the town centre and popular Fish Quay. The walkway will include green open spaces with differing route options which suit peoples needs such as step-free routes, a stepped route with handrails and a direct route with steps from top to bottom.

Both projects are subject to funding by the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) via the Department for Transport.

Cllr Carl Johnson, Deputy Mayor of North Tyneside, said: “We are committed to transforming North Shields into somewhere people want to live, work and visit to help sustain the town for years to come.

“We’re now starting to see these ambitions coming to fruition with work getting underway on the ground. These are really exciting times for North Shields and there’s every reason to be optimistic for the future.

“Our investments in the proposed transport hub and town square and embankment walkway are absolutely vital to improving connectivity and helping create a vibrant and sustainable shopping environment, which will help attract new investment in the town.

“We have been sharing our plans with local communities and incorporating their feedback into the designs and will continue to listen to what people tell us as the projects evolve.”

The North Shields Masterplan is made up of eight individual projects and intends to bring energy and investment into the town centre in a bid to encourage more people to live, work and visit.

The heart of the planning process has focused heavily on sustainability and clean and green practices for the Masterplan, which works directly with the councils aims for climate change as they work towards achieving carbon net-zero by 2030.

If approved, the transport hub is hoped to be the first net-zero carbon structure in North Tyneside and sees ongoing work in a bid to achieve this. Both projects are set to be delivered by appointed construction partner Wilmott Dixon.

North East Director of Wilmott Dixon, Nick Corrigan said: “We are proud to be playing our part in delivering a project that will be a catalyst for the regeneration of the town centre and create a new gateway for the people of North Shields. It really is a dynamic and sustainable design which will create a vibrant and innovative space for local people.

“Sustainability is at the heart of our business and through our 2030 ‘Now or Never’ sustainability strategy, we have pledged that by the end of 2030 all our new buildings and major refurbishments will achieve net-zero operational carbon. The transport hub is a perfect example of how we can achieve those ambitions.

“We are focused on leaving a lasting legacy beyond bricks and mortar and that’s why we will be supporting the North Shields economy by using local businesses and creating local employment opportunities wherever possible.”