Nexus carries out ground survey work for a new Shields Ferry landing

The drilling rig on the River Tyne next to North Shields Fish Quay
16 March 2023

A survey is being carried out on the bed of the River Tyne as part of the preparations to create a new Shields Ferry landing at the regenerated North Shields Fish Quay.

Nexus, the public body which owns and operates the Shields Ferry, has commissioned the ground investigation to check how a construction project can proceed. 

A giant 100ft high drilling platform will be used at the western end of the Fish Quay. The rig was floated into the site using a river barge earlier this week. It will drill six large boreholes into the riverbed to allow for the geological survey to be undertaken.

The drilling will test ground conditions below the river at the point where we intend to locate the new landing.

The new North Shields ferry landing has yet to formally receive funding, but Nexus said it remains confident that the project will do so and that the survey works have to go ahead as planned. 

Nexus wants to relocate the north landing to Western Quay, bringing the ferry into the heart of the North Shields Fish Quay regeneration area, with easy links to the town centre and Riverside Walkway. 

Major Projects Director at Nexus, Cathy Massarella, said: “These are vital ground works as part of our exciting plans to relocate our ferry landing to North Shields Fish Quay. 

“Specialists need to conduct a detailed survey of the bed of the river to assess the ground conditions and check for any unexploded ordnance. It’s detailed work which requires the use of a large drilling platform at the western end of the Fish Quay. 

“As things stand the new ferry landing development is unfunded, but we are in the process of exploring all possible funding streams, and we are confident the project will get the support it needs. It is vital that the ground investigation work is still carried out. 

“We want the Shields Ferry to have a bright future with a new landing at the heart of North Shields Fish Quay.

“The North Shields landing is declining and in a few years it will become unsafe. If we don’t secure the funds for a new landing by 2025 then this vital link between communities could be lost.

“Community leaders are backing the bid to build the new ferry landing and positive discussions with the Government will continue to press the case for this vital project, which will protect eight centuries of maritime heritage on the River Tyne.”

Nexus has written to more than 500 homes and businesses in and around North Shields Fish Quay to advise them in advance about the drilling project. 

Work is due to start on 13 March and be complete by 17 April, subject to weather conditions.  Working hours will be from 7am up to 9pm Monday to Saturday, except Bank Holidays.

The ground works are being carried out on behalf of Nexus by a contractor called Fugro who specialise in geological surveys. 
 

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