Bowes Street, Church Street and Wanley Street Improvements

This project has delivered improvements to Bowes Street, Church Street and Wanley Street with support from the Government’s Accelerated Towns Fund, Northumberland County Council and Blyth Town Council.

This is the first project in the Energising Blyth Regeneration Programme aiming to revitalise the town centre making it a more welcoming and accessible place.

Works completed in Summer 2023, the project includes new paving, street furniture, wider footpaths, increased on-street parking, improved lighting and better drainage.    

On Bowes Street the road has been upgraded. The work formalises a one-way system west to east along Bowes Street encouraging safe and sustainable transport in the area.   

  • Resurfaced road and a one-way system – making it safer and more accessible  
  • Improved lighting – replacing the existing streetlights for a welcoming feel  
  • More trees and plants and planters – making the town more inviting and greener  
  • New footpaths for better access   
  • Increased short stay car parking spaces 
  • Improved drainage 
  • To encourage easier public access by walking    
  • To provide better parking provision and direct access for cars by improving vehicle flow and the number of trips made to the area 
  • To improve perceptions of the area and draw visitors into the town centre through a more attractive townscape 
  • Bowes Street, Church Street and Wanley Street will be affected. 
  • Please see the Masterplan for the area.
  • The project has been delivered by Northumberland County Council and funded in partnership through the Government's Accelerated Towns Fund, Northumberland County Council, and Blyth Town Council.     
  • The construction of the scheme has been delivered by Northumberland County Council Highways Construction Team.
  • This followed work in 2021 on behalf of the council undertaken by utility companies in advance of construction. 
  • Construction began in January 2022 and is almost complete. Some further planting is scheduled in April/May 2023.
  • The construction work is complex as it involves introducing an entirely new sub structure and new road in the area. 
  • Part of the rationale for the time it will take to deliver it is to maintain access for businesses in the area and ensure pedestrian safety. The work could be delivered more quickly but access would be reduced. 
  • To mitigate the impact on local businesses and residents it will be delivered in three phases, ensuring premises can remain open and accessible 
  • The project also addresses several additional issues in the area including enhanced flood mitigation through better drainage 

The project will be delivered in three phases moving from the East end of Bowes Street moving gradually west across the streets to maintain access.   

  • During each phase, the centre of the street will be constructed first followed by the street area immediately outside premises.  
  • Access to properties will be maintained at all times.  ​ 
  • There will be designated signed pedestrian walkways set out so it will be clear where is safe to walk. 
  • Access for wheelchair users and pushchairs will be maintained by providing temporary ramps and/or kerb hoppers, where required. 
  • Access for those with limited vision will be maintained by carrying out daily checks to ensure pedestrian walkways remain unobstructed. A traffic management operative will be on site during working hours to alleviate any issues that arise. 

The phased delivery of work will be as follows: 

  • Phase 1 – Bowes Street East and Church Street. January 2022 To June 2022. 
  • Phase 2 – Bowes Street Centre and West. July 2022 To October 2022. 
  • Phase 3 – Bowes Street West and Wanley Street. October 2022 To December 2022. 

Following completion of the construction of the scheme, new parking and access arrangements will be introduced in the area from 2 May 2023 following previous consultation and engagement on the scheme.  Further drop in events were held in April 2023 to provide a further opportunity to feedback on these arrangements.   

Parking and Access Arrangements Summary

Parking and access arrangements have been developed to allow businesses to operate effectively with deliveries, improve vehicle turnover and footfall at this location whilst also protecting road safety by prohibiting parking at potentially dangerous or obstructive locations. These include: 

  • Restricted Parking Zone - A new Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) in the area shown on the map below, with ‘No Loading at Any Time’ accompanying this to prevent motorists stopping in any area not marked as a parking bay or double parking between bays;  
  • Disabled Bays - Disabled bays for Blue Badge holders only, applying all days from 9am – 6pm for a maximum stay of 3 hours and no return within 4 hours;  
  • Limited waiting bays - Limited waiting parking bays on Bowes Street and Wanley Street applying all days from 9am – 6pm for a maximum stay of 30 minutes and no return within 1 hour. Long Stay car parking continues to be available nearby, including at High Street Car Park and Keel Row Car Park;
  • Loading bay - A loading bay where loading / unloading for goods vehicles only, applies at all times with a maximum time limit of 1 hour and no return within 2 hours;  
  • Double Yellow Lines - Double yellow lines (no waiting at any time) at the western entrance to the road to maintain the free flow of traffic to the Wilko delivery yard where the RPZ does not apply and on Regent Street at both sides of the Bowes Street junction to enhance the visibility for users exiting onto Regent Street.  
  • Speed Limit - A reduction in the speed limit to promote slower speeds by motorists is to be implemented across this section through a 20 MPH zone.  
  • One Way system - A one-way system is now in place through Bowes Street where the permitted direction of travel is in an easterly manner from Thoroton Street to Regent Street, along with banned turning movements onto Bowes Street so that the one-way system remains intact. Several ‘Prohibition of Entry’ points are in place to prohibit vehicles from entering into the area via the wrong direction – every restriction is supported by existing and new, improved signage and road marking so that the traffic flows in the correct direction as show on the attached layout.  

Parking - Bowes St, Church St & Wanley St Improvements

Vehicle Movements - Bowes St, Church St & Wanley St Improvements

Following completion of the construction of the scheme, new parking and access arrangements will be introduced in the area this summer 2023 following previous consultation and engagement on the scheme.  Further drop in events were held in April 2023 to provide a further opportunity to feedback on these arrangements.   
  • The speed limit on Bowes Street, Wanley Street and Church Street will be reduced to 20mph from 30mph.  
  • Church Street will be pedestrian only apart from for access.  
  • One way provision on these streets will also be formalised. 
Parking - Bowes St, Church St & Wanley St Improvements
Vehicle Movements - Bowes St, Church St & Wanley St Improvements

 
  • There will be no on street parking available in Phase 1 and 2.
  • However limited parking will be available during phase 3 until work starts in this area.  
  • We have gained permission to close High Street North car park for the duration of the works.
  • We intend on using this area for site/material storage.
  • Advance noticeboards will be provided notifying the closure to the public.  
Here are some artists impressions of how the area will look when the work is finished


01) Church Street, looking north
02) Street Furniture
03) Softworks