Quay Road & Regent Street Improvements

Following on from improvements to Bowes Street, Church Street, Wanley Street and Bridge Street, the next stage will see improvements to Quay Road to complete connectivity to the East of the town centre and improvements to Regent Street to enable further connectivity and improve the towns aesthetic to the North of the town centre. The works will make the whole area more welcoming, safe and accessible, improving the look and feel of two key gateways to and from the town centre. It will create a direct link between the Quayside, Bridge Street and Byth Market Place encouraging visitors to spend more time in the area using the local shops, attractions, café’s, pubs, restaurants, services, amenities and employment sites.

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Quay Road Improvements

Following substantial completion of the Bridge Street Improvements project, improvements to Quay Road are set to get underway in March 2025.

Works include improvements to all four approaches to the Quay Road roundabout and will be carried out in five phases to minimise disruption to businesses and residents. These improvements include: 
 

  • Carriageway resurfacing 
  • Footpath improvements  
  • Drainage 
  • New street lighting 
  • New street furniture 
  • ​Removal of roundabout and introduction of traffic signal controls (safe crossing points) 


Residents and businesses were invited to a drop in session on Thursday 6th March at the rePUBlic Gallery (Urban Room), The Kings Head, 85 Bridge Street, NE24 3AE between 15:00-18:00. The information shared at the drop in session is available via the links below.

Quay Road Improvements - Overview
Quay Road Improvements - Detail

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Key features include:  

  • Carriageway resurfacing
  • Footpath improvements/improved paving
  • New drainage
  • New street lighting
  • New street furniture 
  • Safer crossing points 
  • Removal of the roundabout and introduction of traffic signal controls  

Improvements will create a more welcoming, accessible entrance to the town centre, completing the connection between the town centre and the Quayside. Improved footway paving, street lighting and street furniture will be coherent with other improvement schemes within the town centre. 

Works include improvements to all four approaches to the Quay Road roundabout and will be carried out in five phases to minimise disruption to businesses and residents. 

Please see indicative Phasing Plan of the area. 
 

Phase 1 and 2 – Quay Road Improvements – March to June 2025 

Phase 1 and 2 of the works are on Quay Rd delivering the improvements outlined above in this area.   

  • Please see the Phasing Plan showing the location of these works. 

  • Please note these works relate to Quay Road East of Bridge Street and do not affect any other locations on the Quayside.  

  • The works will be undertaken from Monday 10th March 2025 and are expected to be completed in June 2025.   

  • Access for residents and businesses to Ballast Hill and Arms Evertyne House will be maintained during the works. Please see Diversion Plan.

 

Phase 3, 4 and 5 – Quay Road Junction Improvements June – November 2025 

In Phase 3, 4 and 5 from June 2025, the junction between Quay Road and Bridge Street crossing over the B1329 will be upgraded:  

  • Improvements include new crossing points, traffic signals and attractive public realm making the whole area much better for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.   

  • The old, unattractive and unsafe features currently in place will be removed as part of the works including the existing small, concrete roundabout and crossing points which are currently difficult to navigate safely.   

  • This will add to the recent improvements made by Arriva to the Bus Station Depot.   

  • When the above junction work gets underway in June, multiphase traffic lights will be in operation on the B1329 and Bridge Street meaning the junction will remain open via a rolling programme of works.  Please see Diversion Plan.

 

A site compound (see marked area on Phasing Plan) will be established on land owned by Advance Northumberland at Dun Cow Quay, Quay Road for the duration of the works. Please note that this land has been used by vehicles to park as additional space off the street, this is not a formal arrangement and parking will not be permitted during construction works. 

The main contractors for the work will be Northumberland County Council. A site compound (see marked area on Phasing Plan) will be established on land owned by Advance Northumberland at Dun Cow Quay, Quay Road for the duration of the works. Please note that this land has been used by vehicles to park as additional space off the street, this is not a formal arrangement and parking will not be permitted during construction works. 
The project is part of the Energising Blyth Programme to grow, renew and connect the town. The project is being delivered by Northumberland County Council and is funded by UK Government and Northumberland County Council. 

For any enquiries about highways works please email highwaysprogramme@northumberland.gov.uk   

You can contact the Energising Blyth team by email: energisingblyth@northumberland.gov.uk 

Construction will commence from Monday 10 March 2025 and is expected to take up to 35 weeks (including weekend working) weather permitting.  

The project will be delivered in phases.   

  • Access to properties and businesses 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 all users including 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 may arise.   

Access for businesses on Ballast Hill shall remain via the B1329. A diversion route for all other business/residents shall be via the Quayside/Wellington Street. Please see Diversion Plan.

Regent Street Improvements

Improvements to Regent Street are proposed to enable further connectivity and improve the towns aesthetic to the North of the town centre.

This follows on from improvements to Bowes Street, Church Street, Wanley Street and Bridge Street with further public engagement expected to take place in 2025 and works expected to take place from late 2025/early 2026. 

 

All improvements intend to create a more attractive and welcoming entrance to the town as well as increase connectivity for business, residents and visitors. 

Key features of this project include: 

  • Improving footpaths, lighting and cycle ways along Regent Street to link with cycleways along Bridge Street, Bowes Street and the Market Place. 

  • Introducing a cycleway and an improved entrance into the town from the North adjacent to Morrisons. 

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