Northumberland business response sought by County Council We are seeking views of local businesses about their current and future skills, training & recruitment needs, to try and improve the employment rate of residents and develop a strong and inclusive economy. Employer Skills Survey is a key tool to measure the extent, nature and impact of skills, training and recruitment issues & challenges facing our employers, and how these skills needs are changing over time. Thank...
Closes 31 December 2023
We're really keen to hear from residents about a new employment and skills hub. This hub would offer employment support such as careers advice and guidance, creating or updating a CV, job search and applications, digital skills, volunteering, employment and training opportunities, being self employed, interview skills, help with costs associated with finding a job (clothing/travel), or receiving...
Closes today
Do you live in one of the areas listed below and would you like an outdoor sports space (PlayZone) for your community? We are working in communities around Northumberland that match the funding priorities set by Sport England. A PlayZone is an outdoor space usually the size of one or two tennis courts, which can be used for a range of sports and activities. PlayZones will be designed...
Closes 21 July 2023
Thank you for recently taking part in NCC's cargo cycle training, provided by Outspoken cycle training. This project has been part of the Capability funding used towards behavioural change within Northumberland. As part of our grant funding agreement with the DFT, and to support the development of projects such as these, we will welcome your feedback in the following questionnaire. This...
Closes 13 November 2023
Northumberland business response sought by County Council We are seeking views of local businesses about their current and future skills, training & recruitment needs, to try and improve the employment rate of residents and develop a strong and inclusive economy. Employer Skills Survey is a key tool to measure the extent, nature and impact of skills, training and recruitment issues &...
Closes 31 December 2023
Further to our recent correspondence regarding the upcoming public realm works, this is a request to traders in the Hexham High Streets Heritage Action Zone for information on dates and times when they receive deliveries to their premises. Whilst we cannot promise to accommodate all requests we will do our best to work around the needs of local traders.
Closes 31 October 2027
What is the Levelling Up Fund? The UK Government launched Round 2 of the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) in 2022. LUF is designed to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK. The £4.8 billion fund will support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport...
Closed 26 May 2023
As part of the Northumberland Line, six highway level crossings have been identified as needing changes as part of the scheme, with some impacts on the road layout. These changes have been identified from level crossing safety assessments and are required to improve operation for all users when...
Closed 7 April 2023
Do you live in one of the areas listed below and would you like an outdoor sports space (PlayZone) for your community? We are working in communities around Northumberland that match the funding priorities set by Sport England. A PlayZone is an outdoor space usually the size of one or two...
Closed 2 April 2023
We're asking for your views on the new Family Hubs website for Northumberland. The purpose of this survey is to gather feedback on the new Family Hubs website for Northumberland which is currently under development. Your views and suggestions are really valuable as we continue to evolve...
Closed 24 March 2023
As part of the £70m Energising Blyth regeneration proposals, Northumberland County Council (NCC) has secured funding through the Future High Street Fund and Town Deal to revitalise Blyth Town Centre and transform the wider area. The proposed Bridge Street Improvements ('The Link') project...
Closed 17 March 2023
See what we've consulted on.
In November and December 2020 we undertook a public consultation on the Northumberland Line project. As part of this consultation, we asked for feedback on the closure of Palmersville Dairy level crossing and the option of replacement access being providedvia a new pedestrian footbridge.
As the project progressed the proposals for a footbridge were no longer considered appropriate.
Following detailed discussions with North Tyneside Council, in July and August 2021 we undertook further targeted consultation and asked for your feedback on a revised proposal to close Palmersville Dairy level crossing, replacing it with a new pedestrian underpass.
We received twelve responses to the consultation. We have analysed the feedback received and reviewed the main themes raised.
Supportive comments noted that an underpass would be more accessible than a footbridge. Questions were asked about the design standards for the underpass, reasons for retaining the right of way and whether/how access would be maintained for cyclists.
Some comments related to the risk of flooding in the area, with particular queries about whether the project had considered a drainage scheme to prevent this in the future.
Some concerns were raised about impacts on the local environment, with queries about how construction impacts would be minimised and the future management of the site.
Some comments were also received about the location of the underpass in relation to the existing level crossing, including the cost of such a diversion.
Some concerns were also raised about antisocial behaviour and the safety of an underpass, including whether lighting would be provided.
It was also queried whether access along the right of way would be maintained during construction.
Feedback has been reviewed by the design team, and where possible we have incorporated this into the proposals and have outlined our response to key areas of interest below.
Your feedback will continue to be considered as the detailed design progresses, including any feedback received as part of the planning application for the underpass.
Design standards and cycle access
The underpass has been designed in accordance with DfT Local Transport Note LTN 1/20 ‘Cycle Infrastructure Design’as a shared space for pedestrians and cyclists.
The detailed design of the underpass is currently ongoing and will be the subject of a planning application to North Tyneside Council later in 2021.
Drainage
The detailed design of the new underpass and localised improvements have considered the risks posed by surface water flooding are intended to improve the drainage at this location. However, changes to the existing retained underpass to the north of the scheme are outside the scope of the Northumberland Line project.
Impacts on environment
Impacts on environment Ecological surveys and assessments have been undertaken to inform our understanding of the existing wildlife context at Palmersville Dairy level crossing. During construction we will seek to retain as much of the existing landscape as is possible; where new planting is required, we will use as many native and local species of plant as possible.
Underpass location
The location of the underpass has been moved closer to the alignment of the existing level crossing. This location maintains the closest possible position to the existing level crossing and public footpath while ensuring compliance with the standards referenced above. This change has been facilitated by reducing the depth and width of the underpass, meaning the approach paths ramps can be shorter.
Antisocial behaviour
The proposed underpass will be sensitively designed to discourage antisocial behaviour and create an appealing walking and cycling route. This includes limiting the length of the underpass to minimise the amount of time users spend in it and improving visibility by providing splays at the underpass entrance, which will limit blind spotsand improve users’personal security.
Approaches to the underpass will also be improved, making them morespacious.Additional safety considerations at detailed design stage will include surfacing and materials,including those that prevent graffiti and vandalism.
As well as the stated design improvements, Northumberland County Council will workclosely with and engage the local police, British Transport Police and Fire Service, who will play a role in ensuring that the underpass is a safe space for users.
There are currently no plans to include lighting within the underpass, but the entrance to the underpass will splay and the structure will have a minimum width of 4 metres to improve natural lighting and forward visibility.
Maintaining access
Where feasible and safe, a crossing over the railway line will be maintained for the public during construction of the underpass. Localised diversions may be necessary and these will be agreed with the rights of way officer at North Tyneside Council and signed locally.