A new masterplan to revamp the heart of Newcastle and Gateshead envisions the building of two new footbridges over the River Tyne, alongside 16,000 new homes and the unlocking of billions of pounds of investment by 2050.
The draft Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for central Tyneside confirms a potential new footbridge connecting Spillers Quay in Ouseburn to the South Shore Road area on the Gateshead side. This would create a “distinctive cross-river waterfront quarter in which new neighbourhoods extend the spirit of Ouseburn’s heritage-led reinvention without replicating or displacing it”.
Two new crossings planned
The document also confirms an earlier proposal for a footbridge over the River Tyne as part of the regeneration of the Forth Yards area, with concept images previously showcasing a potential new foot crossing next to the existing Redheugh Bridge at the western end of the Quayside.
Leaders hope the two new pedestrian crossings would better link communities in Newcastle and Gateshead and reduce “bottleneck” problems around the main central bridges. The report states: “Pedestrian crossings at river level are currently concentrated between the Millennium Bridge and the Swing Bridge. While these are strong assets, they create a bottleneck in connectivity focused on the central quayside. Additional non-vehicular river crossings are identified as opportunities at either end to combat the ‘bow-tie’ and improve links between the north and south banks to create two connected and integrated cross-Tyne urban neighbourhoods to the western and eastern extents of the quayside.”
Homes, transport and the arena
The sprawling SRF document outlines a broad range of redevelopment ambitions, including a major drive to get more people living in the urban core of Tyneside through new housebuilding developments at locations including Gateshead Old Town Hall, the former Brett Oils site, the Forth Yards, and Ouseburn’s Malmo and Spillers Quay.
It identifies the need for travel upgrades like the building of a new Gateshead East train station near Gateshead College, upgrades to Gateshead Interchange and Manors Metro, potential river transport, and the proposed Scotswood Line high-level linear park that could act as a pedestrian and cyclist route running west out of Newcastle city centre.
The building of the delayed new arena earmarked for the Gateshead Quays also forms part of the masterplan for the next 25 years, as does the promised regeneration of the area surrounding the now-demolished Gateshead Flyover, with local officials seeking to boost investment in sport, music, culture, and academia.
Stadium question and next steps
One major question hanging over the future of Newcastle city centre is the fate of St James’ Park, with Newcastle United yet to announce its decision on whether it wants to build a new stadium or remain at its historic home. While the SRF does not specify a preference for either option, it highlights the potential for a “world class sports stadium” to be at the heart of a regenerated area of new offices, hotels, public spaces, and more connecting St James’, Leazes Park, the Helix, Newcastle University, Central Station, and Newcastle College.
The draft vision will be presented to Newcastle and Gateshead councils’ cabinets next week, and later to the North East mayoral authority, before being subject to a public consultation.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “We have amazing areas to live, work and study but now we need to go further. This plan is about creating places with even more great jobs, high-quality social housing, bustling high streets and well-connected neighbourhoods.
“Modern cities change all the time but as new buildings go up, we must bring forward areas that work for everybody – celebrating our North East heritage while creating places people want to live.”
Newcastle City Council leader Colin Ferguson said he hoped that Tyneside could become a “nationally recognised regeneration success story in the decades to come”. He added: “We believe passionately that if Newcastle thrives, the region thrives, and it is important that we look at the heart of Newcastle and Gateshead as a joint opportunity to build on the strong foundations already in place.”
Nick Allan, the leader of Gateshead Council, called the SRF a “clear, ambitious vision for how Gateshead and Newcastle can build on our distinctive strengths to supercharge growth, deliver the homes we need, attract investment and create opportunities for generations to come”.
Coun Allan said: “By strengthening the heart of our region, we can ensure the benefits of growth are felt well beyond the banks of the Tyne. But for me, we'll know this has worked when Gateshead residents can see and feel the difference, whether that's through better jobs, better homes, or greater opportunities for themselves and their families.”
