Mayor outlines £208 million transport boost

The North East is set to benefit from a £208 million investment in transport, marking the first phase of a wider £800 million initiative aimed at transforming the region’s infrastructure by 2027.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness has outlined the Local Transport Plan funding package, which includes the construction of a new North Shields Ferry Landing, expanded mobile and smart ticketing on the Metro, as well as 100km of enhanced walking, cycling and wheeling routes across the region.

Additionally, funding will help support improvements to public transport accessibility, including new Metro gatelines and up to 1000 electric vehicle charging points, with £23 million being allocated to County Durham to bring it into the region’s main transport funding programme and align it with the other six local authorities.

The comprehensive plan also includes safety and infrastructure enhancements to local bus stops and rail stations, with all projects aimed to support sustainable travel and regional connectivity by 2027.

Mayor 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 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.

“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.”

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