New chance to have your say on big changes to roads and transport in South Tyneside

South Tyneside Council launched a consultation in May to gather views on ways people can stay safe when travelling or exercising.

In line with government guidance, the council is exploring a number of options from widening pavements and creating pop-up cycle lanes to reducing traffic on certain roads.

Hundreds of people have already had their say in a consultation which allows residents to leave comments and suggestions on particular areas or streets which could benefit.

Although the deadline passed on May 31, council bosses have agreed to extend the consultation due to the “significant interest” from the public.

A South Tyneside Council spokesman said: “The council has been undertaking a consultation exercise seeking residents’ views to help inform its local walking and cycling investment plan, as well as to canvas public opinion on how best to reallocate road space in the borough following the Government’s announcement of an Emergency Active Travel Fund.

“The fund is designed to allow measures such as local road closures and pop-up cycle lanes to be brought forward to create a safe environment for cyclists and pedestrians in line with social distancing.

“We have received more than 350 responses to date and given the significant interest this has generated, we have decided to extend the consultation period until Sunday, June 14.”

The ‘South Tyneside Covid-19 Liveable Streets Response’ has already attracted a range of comments calling for improvements to major link roads, residential streets, shopping areas and the coast road.

The council will use the crowdsourced responses to create a shortlist of streets where works could take place.

In practice, temporary cycle lanes would involve ‘redrawing’ road markings which would remain in place for the duration of the Covid-19 lockdown.

To comment on the interactive map and view suggestions for your area, visit stynesidestreetspace.commonplace.is

Comments regarding this project can also be made directly to [email protected]

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