Plans for a multi-million-pound investment in making bus stops, rail and Metro stations safer and more accessible as well as boosting EV charge points are set to be agreed by North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness and Cabinet next week.
A new report outlines £13.92m of proposed investments to continue to deliver the Mayor’s ambitions for transport set out in the Local Transport Plan.
The money includes an additional £3.5m to deliver better bus stops on local streets across the region – replacing old shelters, boosting accessibility and safety, as well as improving passenger information at 195 locations across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland. This latest funding boost is on top of the programme of upgrades at 444 bus stops in County Durham already underway.
The report also sets out a new £6m programme to improve up to nine rail and Metro stations used by around 6 million passengers each year. The funding will make walking and wheeling to the stations far safer and more appealing, while also making it easier for local people travelling by both bus and train. The stations set to benefit could include the major interchanges at Heworth and Metrocentre in Gateshead, St Peters in Sunderland, the busy South Tyneside Metro stops at Jarrow, Hebburn and Fellgate, Palmersville in North Tyneside and stations along the new Northumberland Line.
There is also funding to continue the roll-out of electric vehicle charge-points, this time targeting tourist hotspots and other key destinations, with £4.42m earmarked to install up to 166 new chargers across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.
North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said:
“I am determined to deliver better transport for everyone in the North East and a huge part of this is investing in our public transport network so that it is safer, more accessible and appealing for local people.
“Passengers should be able to feel safe when using our system, from the moment they approach their local bus stop. This is about making a difference in the streets where people live.
“Millions of journeys start at local bus stops, Metro and rail stations every year – so this money will make a huge difference and improve the journeys so many people rely on. This is on top of the programme already underway to improve 444 bus stops across County Durham.
“We will also see more electric vehicle chargers installed using this funding which I hope will help more people consider making the switch to an electric vehicle.
“This latest investment will be transformative and it's the start of more exciting things to come for our transport network.”