Transport connectivity in Blyth is on track for major improvements over the coming years.
Work on the Northumberland Line is continuing at pace, with Newsham station set to open soon and continued progress at Blyth Bebside.
Blyth Relief Road will form a key pillar of reducing congestion in the town, with the Outline Business Case (OBC) being submitted to Government for review and approval following the County Council budget in February.
With a raft of schemes either underway or in the pipeline, a cornerstone of the work is to ensure that all works can be carefully sequenced, taking account of feedback from residents and aiming to alleviate issues such as the congestion on the A193 Cowpen Road.
The development of three new cycling and walking routes is ongoing. The routes will connect key locations across town including the new railway stations, employment and education sites and the town centre:
Town Centre to South Beach - this scheme is well underway with works in delivery to improve the route along Broadway set to be completed in June 2025. The scheme is funded by Department for Transport via active Travel Fund Tranche 3.
Town Centre to Bebside Station - a proposed scheme has been developed including improvements on Cowpen Road close to local businesses, retail and education sites on the route. However, given the need to plan and sequence improvements in the area in conjunction with the Blyth Relief Road, the options for the design and delivery of this scheme will need to be developed further during 2025 taking account of the design of the relief road and the existing pressures on the route. Once designs are updated later in 2025 a fresh round of consultation and engagement will be planned prior to any delivery planned in line with the Relief Road scheme.
Town Centre to Newsham - this scheme is at the early development stage and subject to further funding with no delivery plans imminent.
Progress is being made on improved cycling and walking routes as part of the town centre’s redevelopment with new routes through the town enabling all users to access existing and new attractions. The Market Pavilion Cinema and Culture Venue opens this Summer including a new Market Place to make the town more welcoming, safe and accessible. Bridge Street improvements will be completed in Spring 2025 and Quay Rd improvements later this year.
Together, the improvements in the town centre include a new route from the Quayside ensuring that walkers and cyclists will be directed into the town centre as the current National Cycle Route bypasses the town centre. The improvements will encourage walkers and cyclists to visit everything the town has to offer including local shops and services via a user friendly route for all ages.
Council Leader Glen Sanderson described the relief road project as 'critical for the continuing renaissance of Blyth'.
He said: "Work on many projects continues apace in Blyth as the Council works with its partners to develop and invest in the town and we have invested over £1m in working up the Business Case for the planned Relief Road - which is absolutely critical for the continuing renaissance of Blyth.
"We are working hard to bring a compelling case for the Government to fund this hugely important scheme and so, for the time being, we are pausing work on the proposed cycleway between the town centre and Bebside.
"This is not a decision we've taken lightly, but a number of my political colleagues raised their concerns with me directly around the proposed cycleway earlier this year , particularly around the timing of construction alongside Relief Road work, and so I am listening to them in taking this action."
The Blyth Town Centre to Bebside Station cycling and walking infrastructure and other projects in the town centre are all part of the £95m Energising Blyth Programme to grow, renew and connect the town. The programme is delivered by Northumberland County Council and funded by UK Government, North East Combined Authority and the County Council.