The Mayor is set to approve £53.6m in new transport funding – including £22 million for road improvements and a major upgrade of Regent Centre Metro and Bus Interchange.
Subject to approval, the package of schemes being funded supports delivery of the Mayor’s Local Transport Plan and sees continued investment across the region’s transport network – delivering a green, integrated, and inclusive transport network for local people, passengers and communities.
Regent Centre Metro and Bus Interchange work will include a £7.94m refurbishment of the platforms and concourse, improved bus waiting facilities and clearer wayfinding.
Installation of ticket barriers at Regent Centre, helping to improve safety for passengers, particularly for women and girls using the Metro, has already been completed as part of the project. Work on the refurbishment is expected to get underway this summer.
Extra funding for highways maintenance worth £22m is also set for approval – on top of the £73.5m already approved - to support local authorities ongoing maintenance of regional roads including pothole repairs. Also being funded is an additional £8.52m to develop and deliver transport schemes in County Durham, an extension of free travel passes for care-experienced young people in the region, £7m for Metro asset renewals and funding to support scheme development of the Northumberland Line to Newbiggin-on-Sea.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, said: “I want better transport for everyone in the North East and we’re investing to make this a reality for local people. We’ll be giving Regent Centre Metro and Bus Interchange a new lease of life, with a £7.94m upgrade to make it nicer, safer and more accessible for passengers, so I'm pleased work will get underway soon.
“We’re also providing an extra £22m in highways funding to our local authorities so we can make progress in tackling maintenance across our road network - there are too many potholes on our region’s roads.”
Paul Welford, Major Projects Director at Nexus, said: “Regent Centre Interchange plays a vital role within Newcastle and connecting people to where they need to be. As a strategic hub on both the Metro and bus network, it’s essential that Regent Centre sets the standard for what modern, high‑quality and accessible public transport should look like in our region. This refurbishment is about creating an interchange that supports multi‑modal travel and makes it easier for passengers to access the station, and begin region‑wide journeys.
“The investment will deliver refurbished Metro platforms and a brighter, more welcoming station concourse to improve crowd flow, both complementing the arrival of our new Metro fleet. We have already completed the installation of a new ticket gate line, which enhances customer safety and deters anti-social behaviour. Further improvements include removing the old metal roof canopy, improved signage and enhancing welfare facilities for Nexus employees.”
The Mayor and cabinet will also be asked to approve a high-level plan for the region's Transport for City Regions funding which includes part of the funding required to deliver the Metro to Washington project and continue to build the Angel Network, Mayor Kim’s vision for a world class integrated transport network for the North East. A detailed investment plan will be presented to Cabinet later this year.