River Blyth bridge to be part of 'active travel' plan

Posted by The Journal on Feb 8, 10 10:37 AM in News

A new bridge will be built over the River Blyth as part of an ambitious £5m "active travel" project in Northumberland's most heavily-populated area.

The bridge will carry walkers and cyclists across the river under plans to create a major new network of green travel routes, cut car use and promote healthier lifestyles.

It will be built near Humford Mill as part of a £2.3m scheme to improve walking and cycling links between the towns of Bedlington and Cramlington. The new bridge is a key element of a revised package of sustainable travel initiatives, building on £1.35m of Big Lottery funding which was allocated to Northumberland in 2007.

The original programme - part of a £50m nationwide project by sustainable travel charity Sustrans - included the restoration of the former passenger ferry service across the River Blyth, between Blyth and Cambois.

Two months ago the ferry plan was dropped after the county council decided it could not afford the long-term revenue costs of running it.

Now council officials and Sustrans have drawn up revised proposals, after identifying funding totalling £4.94m to deliver an enhanced green travel package for the area.

On Monday members of the council's executive will be recommended to support the plans, which seek to reduce car journeys and make walking and cycling become more accepted and viable options for everyday travel.

The new South East Northumberland Active Travel Project involves funding of £1.35m from the Big Lottery, £2.25m from the Sustrans Link to Schools programme, almost £1m from the local transport plan and £390,000 from the south east Northumberland Growth Point Initiative.

As well as the improved links between Cramlington and Bedlington, it proposes a major new cycling and walking route between Blyth's South Beach area, the town centre and nearby Bedlington. It also involves a new route for walkers and cyclists between Blyth and Cramlington.

County council highways and policy strategy manager, Dick Fraser, says the new bridge over the River Blyth would overcome the obstacle of the main road between the two towns and link Cramlington's extensive green travel network with Bedlington.

A Sustrans spokeswoman said the ferry service was no longer viable because of the recession, but the revised plans would be of even greater value.

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