£208m transport investment announced for North East
This is the first phase of an £800 million investment by Ms McGuinness, to be made over the next three years.
The investment aims to transform the region’s transport network by 2027.
The projects include a new North Shields Ferry Landing, 100km of improved walking and cycling infrastructure, and the roll-out of mobile and smart ticketing on Metro and local rail.
There will also be new Metro gatelines at key stations, safety and accessibility improvements, and £23 million of guaranteed investment for County Durham.
The investment will also fund up to 1,000 new electric vehicle charge-points in residential areas and at key destinations, as well as an additional £21.7 million of highways maintenance funding for the next financial year.
Ms McGuinness, said: “For too long we have put up with an inadequate transport network which is in urgent need of investment.
“Today I am pleased to confirm £208 million of projects that I will deliver by 2027, revitalising our transport network and providing a more accessible, safer and better-connected system which will greatly benefit local people.
“I’m proud to confirm that I will fund a brand-new Ferry Landing in North Shields, the roll-out of smart ticketing on Metro and local rail, new gatelines to improve safety – especially for women and girls on our Metro system, £23 million in funding for County Durham, 100km of better walking, wheeling and cycle routes, extra electric vehicle charge points and safer, more accessible bus stops and stations.”
She added: “I have been clear from the outset that I will invest in our transport system to create more opportunities for local people and I am delivering on that promise.
“I have bigger, longer-term plans for our region and we’ll be investing more in due course but this initial £208 million is the first phase of a major £800 million capital investment programme which we will roll-out over the next three years to revive our network, and improve public transport and active travel for all.
“We are rolling up our sleeves and getting on with the job at hand of investing heavily in transport to reverse the decades of under investment in the North East.”
The funding package announced includes ongoing and new investments across multiple modes and is expected to be delivered by 2027.
This is subject to approval by the Mayor and North East Combined Authority Cabinet next week.
