Northumberland councillors have approved plans for a £6.9 million active travel corridor in Blyth that will link the town centre with the Bebside station on the Northumberland Line.
The scheme will also connect key employment sites and local schools. Of the total cost, £4.8 million will come from external grants.
The council said the project aims to improve sustainable transport connectivity by enhancing walking, wheeling and cycling connections, supporting regeneration while reducing car dependency, congestion and carbon emissions.
Route change away from Cowpen Road
Initially, the corridor was intended to follow Cowpen Road. However, due to concerns over the level of traffic already using the key route in and out of Blyth, the route will now use quieter residential streets to the south of Cowpen Road while still maintaining a direct link.
Speaking at Tuesday's meeting of the council's cabinet, deputy leader Coun Richard Wearmouth said: "This will connect the town centre with the station at Bebside, passing various employment sites and schools as it goes."
"It will boost people's ability to get around Blyth and connect to the Northumberland Line which is still recording huge patronage numbers. We're seeing around 350,000 people a quarter which is well above our expectations - it's a huge success."
Wearmouth added: "This is the preferred route and we will keep it away from Cowpen Road just to the south as it connects those two points. There will be more checking in with residents, making sure they're understanding what is going on."
Phased delivery and wider investment
The project is split into five phases of design development and construction delivery, which the council said will minimise disruption when works take place. Phase 1 works are located on Chase Farm Drive, with remaining phases moving from west to east towards the town centre.
Conservative Council leader Glen Sanderson said: "This is part of a huge amount of investment in the town by the previous Government. I'm pleased that we're going ahead with this and I'm pleased we have had consultation."
Sanderson added: "I'm sure it will be a great addition to Blyth."
Blyth has benefited from significant Government funding in recent years, approved under the Tory administration. This includes the £90 million Energising Blyth deal, £20.9 million Town Deal funding and £11 million from the Future High Streets Fund. The plans were unanimously approved by the cabinet.
