New £21 million pound transport hub starts to take shape in South Shields

Etched against the skyline, South Shields' new transport interchange is taking shape
Stuart Clarke (Nexus), Paul Anderson (B&K), Coun Iain Malcolm, Andrew Fairest (Muse), Peter Lewis (Nexus)Stuart Clarke (Nexus), Paul Anderson (B&K), Coun Iain Malcolm, Andrew Fairest (Muse), Peter Lewis (Nexus)
Stuart Clarke (Nexus), Paul Anderson (B&K), Coun Iain Malcolm, Andrew Fairest (Muse), Peter Lewis (Nexus)

The steel skeleton of the £21 million facility, which will house a modern bus station and relocated Metro station, is now in place.

Construction of the interchange, which forms Phase Two of the £100m 365 regeneration masterplan, began in April.

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Foundations were laid and pits were dug for the escalator and lift before work on the steel structure started.

A 50-tonne mobile crane has been used to hoist the 175 tonnes of locally-fabricated steel into place.

Coun Iain Malcolm, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see how much progress has been made already on the transport interchange.

“Now that the steel skeleton is in place, the building is literally taking shape before our eyes and we get a glimpse of how this new facility is going to look.

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“South Shields town centre is undergoing a huge transformation and physical developments such as the interchange and our hugely-successful cultural venue, The Word, show how our bold vision is coming to fruition.

“The transport interchange will create a high quality sense of arrival into our regenerated, revitalised town centre. “

The council is working with partners Muse Developments and Nexus, and construction contractor Bowmer and Kirkland, to deliver the project.

Work will continue with roofing sheets and build-up being fixed to the top of the frame, internal concrete slabs poured to form the three floor levels and external cladding fixed to the sides of the frame.

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The interchange is scheduled for completion next summer. Demolition of the existing Metro station will be completed following the construction of the interchange.

Planning permission was granted last year for the transport interchange, as well as outline planning permission for Phase three, new retail and leisure development.

The project received £9.4m from the Local Growth Deal through the North East Local Enterprise Partnership. The Local Growth Deal is supporting major capital investments to promote innovation, economic and skills infrastructure and sustainable transport across the North East LEP area.