A modern new transport hub has been opened in North Shields.
The £12m hub is a major part of North Tyneside Council’s ambitious plan to improve North Shields, transforming the town into an attractive, family-friendly destination, with a vibrant, high-quality town centre.
The new Transport Hub and revamped Town Square have been funded through the Transforming Cities Fund via Transport North East, the North of Tyne Combined Authority, and North Tyneside Council.
It opened to the public on Saturday, 2 September, with local musicians performing and the release of a series of films made by local schoolchildren, celebrating the town’s rich heritage, which were shown on the new big screen in the square.
The building is North Tyneside Council’s first building to be fully carbon-neutral in construction and its operation, as part of the council’s wider aim to be carbon net-zero by 2030. Real-time information will be on display for all local bus, Metro and ferry services.
A number of public art installations have been designed by local artist, Colin Davies, other local artists and young people, and are based on what people think is important in North Shields’ past, present and future. These include a 26 metre artwork on the Transport Hub wall, illustrating stories from local people in morse code and maritime weather maps.
The opening of the Transport Hub at 1100 marks the start of a big day of celebration in North Shields, with the free family festival North Tyneside Together also taking place in Northumberland Square. There will be music, entertainment, stalls and fairground rides.
Norma Redfearn, North Tyneside Council’s Elected Mayor, said, “I’m delighted this new Transport Hub and Town Square are opening, as they’re such an important part of our ambitious plans to transform North Shields into an attractive, family-friendly destination.
North Tyneside council has already invested millions of pounds to regenerate the area, transforming the historic Northumberland Square, supporting venues for our Cultural and Creative zone, and is creating an Embankment Walkway to link the town to the Fish Quay.
“It’s fantastic to have local artists work with young people to create public art installations celebrating the heritage of North Shields, and for schoolchildren to be inspired by the town’s history and make films.
“I’m proud that this Hub is the first carbon-neutral building in construction and operation that we, as a council, have built. With buses, the Metro, taxis and cycling infrastructure all in the same place, it’ll be much easier for our residents to choose cleaner and greener forms of travel, bringing us a step closer to our aim of being carbon net-zero by 2030”.
The Hub will be safe and secure, with accessible Changing Places toilets, which provide extra equipment and space for people with a disability, to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably.