Mayor backs Tyne ferry idea
A new ferry connecting communities along the Tyne has been hailed as a “great vision” by the North East mayor – but don’t expect to see one setting sail imminently.
Kim McGuinness has backed the idea of a new boat service that would travel up and down the river, potentially offering a new travel link between places like Tynemouth, South Shields, Hebburn, Walker, Ouseburn, and the Newcastle and Gateshead Quayside.
The North East Combined Authority, which Ms McGuinness leads, recently committed funding to build a new landing for the Shields Ferry at the North Shields Fish Quay, securing the future of the service after years of uncertainty.
But the mayor was asked during a Q&A session on Tuesday whether she could instigate the creation of a much bigger ferry route running all the way from the mouth of the river to as far as boats would safely be able to travel upstream.
Ms McGuinness called the prospect “genuinely exciting”, but admitted that her office had no such plans currently in the works.
She said: “I think it is a great vision. The idea of a Tyne Clipper is something that would be absolutely outstanding.
“However, I have to admit that we don’t currently have any such plans. I am really pleased with the plans for the Shields Ferry. Moving the ferry landing to the heart of the North Shields Fish Quay will be transformational, unlocking that ferry for more passengers and for people who use the Fish Quay which is one of the most vibrant parts of our region.
“It a Tyne Clipper is a great idea, a great ambition and something I would love to look at. But we have not got any immediate plans. I genuinely think it is really exciting, though.”
Her comments came ahead of the launch of a new public consultation on how the North East’s transport network could evolve between now and 2040.
A refreshed Local Transport Plan for the region sets out more than 300 schemes to be developed over the next two decades.
That includes some of Ms McGuinness major manifesto pledges, including the reopening of the Leamside railway line and extension of the Tyne and Wear Metro to Washington, as well as the dualling of the A1 in Northumberland and a region-wide electric bike hire scheme.
While the draft plan includes no mention of a new Tyne ferry service, it does mention the possibility of a ferry landing being installed at Royal Quays.
Members of the public will be asked this autumn to have their say on what they want to see included in the final version of the document.
The mayor added: “Through transport, we can really enhance opportunities for local people as well as greatly improve public health and our environment, so it’s incredibly important we get this right. We want to deliver an integrated, sustainable and accessible network that works for all and we’re at the start of this incredible journey together.
“We are already investing millions in transport projects across public transport, rail, road and active travel, but there’s so much more to come. With future funding from government and other funding sources, we’re serious about improving how we all travel in the region – delivering both in the short-term, and for future generations.”