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THE FOG ON THE TYNE will hopefully stay away when Nexus officially opens its new North Shields Ferry Landing on at 18.00 hrs (6pm) Monday (July 19, 2004). Billy Mitchell, former guitarist with North East folk music legends Lindisfarne, will entertain dignitaries from both sides of the river when they gather to celebrate the official opening of the landing. Also “on-board” will be comedy favourite Brendan Healey, who will accompany Billy Mitchell on keyboards while the pair run through some numbers together. North Tyneside Mayor Councillor Linda Arkley and Deputy Mayor of South Tyneside Bill Lynch will join Nexus Director General Mike Parker. Also there will be project manager for the new ferry landing Alan Parks, along with representatives from the contractors Nexus employed to build and install the new landing. The new landing provide Shields Ferry passengers with a host of improvements over the previous landing. It features a fully enclosed, glazed waiting area with seating for passengers as well as timetable information and a help point that allows passengers to contact a member of Nexus staff directly. Nexus has an understanding of and commitment to the needs of mobility impaired users of public transport and so has ensured that, wherever practicable, the new ferry landing meets the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. Measures include a longer bridge down to the landing, which reduces the gradient and makes it easier for wheelchair users to access the Shields Ferry. The new ferry landing has a state-of-the-art digital CCTV system fitted, which is of the same standard Nexus has fitted to the Metro network under an £8.2 million scheme.
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