Blyth street improvement scheme new parking and access arrangements
28 Apr 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
New parking and access arrangements are being introduced in Blyth town centre following improvement works on Bowes Street, Church Street and Wanley Street from Tuesday 2nd May.
The construction works have now been completed boosting the area as a place to live, work and invest as part of the £70m Energising Blyth regeneration programme. A new planting scheme will be introduced soon.
The new arrangements have been developed to allow businesses to operate effectively with deliveries, improve vehicle turnover and footfall in this area while also protecting road safety by prohibiting parking at potentially dangerous or obstructive locations. They include:
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Disabled bays for Blue Badge holders only on Bowes Street from 9am – 6pm for a maximum stay of 3 hours and no return within 4 hours;
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Limited waiting parking bays on Bowes Street and Wanley Street from 9am – 6pm for a maximum stay of 30 minutes and no return within 1 hour. Long stay parking continues to be available nearby including High St Car Park and Keel Row Car Park;
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A loading bay for loading/unloading by goods vehicles only for a maximum time limit of 1 hour and no return within 2 hours;
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‘No Waiting at Any Time’ (double yellow lines) restrictions at the western entrance to the Restricted Parking Zone on Bowes Street and on Regent Street near the eastern entrance.
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20 MPH zone - A reduction in the speed limit is now in operation to promote slower speeds by motorists is also now in operation in this area through a 20 MPH zone.
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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.
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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.
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Double Yellow Lines are in place at the western entrance to Bowes St 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.
Two recent drop-in events to update the local business community about the new arrangements were well attended and information has now been shared widely by letter confirming the new arrangements.
Businesses provided valuable feedback including concerns that vehicles are blocking access to premises on back lanes. Alongside the new arrangements below, the council will now also be closely monitoring this and further measures may then be considered in the future.
The project has been delivered by Northumberland County Council and funded in partnership through the HM Government Accelerated Towns Fund and Blyth Town Council.
Councilor Wojciech Ploszaj, Cabinet Member for Business at Northumberland County Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see this part of town coming back to life with these improvements and the new parking and access arrangements will mean that visitors can access the area in a safe and manageable way including the increased on street parking now available.
“The project is an important first step in delivering our ambitions to reinvigorate Blyth town centre making the area more welcoming and accessible for residents, visitors and businesses.
“I would like re-iterate our thanks to local businesses and residents for their patience as we have delivered the improvements.
Later this year further investment in the town centre will begin including the new Culture Hub and Market Place and Bridge Street Improvements alongside the new Energy Central Learning Hub being constructed at South Harbour.”
Councilor Warren Taylor, Mayor of Blyth Town Council, said: “We’re really pleased to see that that access to Bowes Street is now re-opened providing easy access to the local shops and businesses. We are looking forward to seeing the additional measures put in place including new street furniture and floral displays to lift the street even more this Summer.”
The latest information about the Energising Blyth programme is available by visiting the website www.northumberland.gov.uk/energisingblyth
