Bedlington Active Travel Corridor - LUF Public Consultation

Overview

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 projects, and cultural and heritage assets. Across the UK, local authorities were eligible to submit bids for the Fund, which was announced at the government’s Spring Statement 2022.

Our Bid

Northumberland County Councils bid which was submitted as part of round two of the LUF focuses on key active travel corridors; one between Hexham and Corbridge, and another from the western extent of Bedlington, connecting with industrial land on the eastern coastal area. The aim of this scheme is to improve multi-modal transport options to better connect local people to employment, education and transport hubs.

The Bedlington Active Travel Corridor scheme route extent and general arrangement drawings are shown below.

Please use your cursor to scroll through each segment of the route. To view in full screen mode press  then .

It is anticipated that, by delivering improved active travel infrastructure which facilitates sustainable travel, this would:

• Stimulate economic activity by reducing an overreliance on private vehicle usage and linking people to the Northumberland Line to connect to wider economic hubs.
• Improve safety and health of those living and working in the area by offering better infrastructure that facilitates uptake for active travel and therefore increases levels of physical activity while reducing susceptibility to diseases associated with ill-health and poor air quality.

Alignment with The Big Northumberland Gear Change

As well as offering a range of economic, social and environmental benefits to local residents and businesses, the proposals also align with the Big Northumberland Gear Change campaign, which is aimed at encouraging people to adopt more sustainable habits in terms of transport by walking, cycling and using public transport more often.

Currently, only 13% of all journeys in Northumberland are made on foot or by bike, and with a third of all trips in the county less than 5km, there are many opportunities to shift to more sustainable modes for these shorter trips. The proposed scheme offers a step-change in active travel infrastructure which will remove some barriers to walking and cycling, such as highway safety and poor facilities.

For more information, please visit: https://www.northumberlandgearchange.co.uk/

Why your views matter

The consultation is an opportunity for you to have your say on the scheme that is being brought forward. We’ll use the responses to shape the detailed designs of the proposals by using the feedback received on how they could be improved. Please note this consultation isn’t seeking views on the justification for the route.

We want to understand how local residents and businesses currently use the routes at present, any issues that exist, and whether or not the proposals would encourage you to walk or cycle more often. The insights provided will give us an understanding on how to shape the schemes to ensure that they cater for the needs of those living and working within the areas.

If you have further queries beyond the consultation, or would like to request a hard copy of the information, please contact our dedicated mailbox: highwaysprogramme@northumberland.gov.uk